Since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, women’s presence in public life has been significantly curtailed.
Afghanistan’s Taliban administration has mandated the dismissal of all female employees from national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This action represents the latest in a series of measures restricting women’s rights since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover.
This directive follows a previous Taliban order, issued two years prior, halting all work by women in non-Taliban controlled institutions.
In a notice posted on X (formerly Twitter) Sunday, the Ministry of Economy warned that NGOs failing to comply will have their operating licenses revoked.
“Failure to cooperate will result in the termination of all activities and the cancellation of the operating license issued by the ministry,” the ministry’s statement read.
Since their return to power following the US withdrawal over three years ago, the Taliban have implemented policies aligning Afghan society with their strict interpretation of Islam, effectively removing women from public life. These actions, including the closure of beauty salons and the prohibition of girls’ education beyond the sixth grade, have led the UN to condemn the government’s establishment of “gender apartheid.”
The recent ban has drawn sharp criticism from the UN, which labeled it “a deeply discriminatory measure” jeopardizing humanitarian aid in the country. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has urged the immediate reversal of the ban.
Meanwhile, the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development has proposed detailed guidelines to allow continued female employment in health and education, within imposed limitations. This independent NGO suggests implementing measures such as mandatory hijab, separate facilities for women, and documented justifications for female staff presence.