They had promised more flexibility when they returned to power. The Taliban do just the opposite. Authorities 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 economy ministry said. “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.
A ministry spokesman confirmed that the Economy Ministry sent the order to the NGOs. “In case of neglect of the directive (…) the license of the organization which was issued by this ministry will be canceled”, specifies the letter. The European Union did not take too long to react, saying it “strongly condemns” this decision. Similarly, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Saturday of the “devastating” consequences for Afghanistan of such a decision.
The draconian measures are multiplying
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. Remember that they do not, for example, have the right to fly alone.
The Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, explained in a television interview that he took this decision because “students who went 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.
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.