UN mission calls on Taliban to lift ban on women working in NGOs in Afghanistan

UNAMA Acting Chief Meets with Economy Minister to Discuss New Restrictions

Dec. 26 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ramiz Alakbarov, met on Monday with the authorities established by the Taliban to demand that they withdraw their decision to prohibit women from working for non-governmental organizations, a decision widely criticized by the international community.

UNAMA has indicated that Alakbarov, who is also the UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, has held a meeting with the Afghan Economy Minister, Mohamad Hanif, without further details being released. “Millions of Afghans need humanitarian aid and removing the barriers is crucial,” he stressed through a message on his account on the social network Twitter.

Alakbarov himself expressed “deep concern” on Saturday about the Taliban’s decision, saying it was “a clear violation of humanitarian principles.” “The crucial role of women in all aspects of life and humanitarian response is undeniable,” he stressed.

The decision was announced on Saturday by the Afghan Economy Ministry and affects all national and international non-governmental organizations. Thus, despite the fact that it does not directly affect the UN, it makes many of its aid programs impossible, since they are carried out by NGOs affected by the measure.

The announcement also came just a few days after the Taliban barred access to university education for women, which sparked criticism from the international community, including much of the Islamic world. The Taliban announced on Friday the opening of an internal debate to discuss these criticisms received.