Afghanistan: After restriction on education, Taliban now bans women from working for NGOs

Non-compliance will result in revoking the licenses of said NGOs, the Ministry of Economy said as quoted by CNN.

The ministry in the letter – whose validity its spokesman Abdul Rahman Habib confirmed to CNN – cites as reasons for the decision the non-observation of Islamic dress rules and other laws and regulations of the Islamic Emirate.

“Lately there have been serious complaints regarding not observing the Islamic hijab and other Islamic Emirate’s laws and regulations,” the letter said, adding that as a result “guidance is given to suspend work of all female employees of National and international non-governmental organizations.”

Deeply concerned that the Taliban’s ban on women delivering humanitarian aid in Afghanistan will disrupt vital and life-saving assistance to millions. Women are central to humanitarian operations around the world. This decision could be devastating for the Afghan people.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 24, 2022

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the decision taken by the Taliban administration would be 'devastating' for the Afghan people.

He tweeted: "Deeply concerned that the Taliban’s ban on women delivering humanitarian aid in Afghanistan will disrupt vital and life-saving assistance to millions. Women are central to humanitarian operations around the world. This decision could be devastating for the Afghan people."

The Taliban earlier banned women from attending universities.

Since August 2021, they have barred girls from secondary school, restricted women and girls’ freedom of movement, excluded women from most of the workforce and banned them from using parks, gyms and public bath houses.