Restrictions imposed on women by fundamentalist Islamists have increased since they returned to power in August 2021.
Source AFP
© MOHSEN KARMI / AFP
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Lhe Taliban authorities have ordered national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to stop working with women after “serious complaints” that they did not follow an appropriate dress code, the ministry of peace told AFP on Saturday. ‘Economy. “There have been serious complaints about non-compliance with the Islamic hijab and other rules and regulations relating to women’s work in national and international organizations,” said the ministry, which is responsible for approving licenses for NGOs operating in Afghanistan, in a letter obtained by AFP.
A ministry spokesperson confirmed that the Ministry of Economy sent the order to the NGOs. “In case of disregard of the directive […] the organization’s license that was issued by this ministry will be revoked,” the letter said.
Women gradually removed from public life
The announcement comes just four days after the Taliban government decided to ban Afghan women from attending public and private universities in the country for an indefinite period. The Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, explained in a television interview that he took this decision because “students who go to university […] did not respect the instructions on the hijab”. “The hijab is obligatory in Islam,” he insisted, referring to the requirement for women in Afghanistan to cover their faces and their entire bodies.
READ ALSOIn Afghanistan, the Taliban harden the repression
Despite their promises to be more flexible, the Taliban have returned to the ultra-rigorous interpretation of Islam that marked their first spell in power (1996-2001). Since their return to power in August 2021, draconian measures have multiplied, in particular against women, who have been gradually excluded from public life and excluded from colleges and high schools.
The EU “strongly condemns” this ban
The European Union on Saturday condemned the ban by the Taliban on the work of women in local and foreign NGOs in Afghanistan. “The European Union strongly condemns the recent decision by the Taliban to ban women from working in national and international NGOs,” said a spokeswoman for the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, in a statement sent to the AFP. “We are assessing the situation and the impact it will have on our aid on the ground,” she added.
The UN humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan, Ramiz Alakbarov, denounced in a tweet a “manifest violation of humanitarian principles”. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned of “devastating” consequences for Afghanistan. “I am very concerned by the Taliban ban on women from distributing life-saving humanitarian aid for millions of people in Afghanistan,” Antony Blinken tweeted. “This decision can be devastating for the Afghan people,” he added.
Deeply concerned by reports that de facto authorities issued a circular barring all female employees of national&international organizations from going to work. Clear breach of humanitarian principles. Women critical role all aspects of life& humanitarian response is undeniable
— Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov (@RamizAlakbarov) December 24, 2022