New Delhi, Dec 25, 2022: NGOs on Sunday suspended their operations in Afghanistan after a decision by the country’s Taliban rulers to bar women from working at international and local non-governmental organizations.
Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE, stated that they cannot effectively reach children, women and men in desperate need in Afghanistan without the help of their female staff.
The decree from the Taliban comes just days after female students were banned from universities. They justified the move by saying that female NGO staff had broken dress codes by not wearing hijabs.
The decision has sparked massive international outrage, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sharing his concern, adding that it “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,” Mr Blinken added.
It was also described as a “clear breach of humanitarian principles” by another senior United Nations official.
It is also feared that Afghan women may be left unable to receive aid directly, if organisations are only allowed to employ men. Taliban rules prevent men from working with women.
Female employees were “essential” for reaching other women and girls, explained Melissa Cornet from Care International.
She added: “Without them, the humanitarian situation might deteriorate rapidly, in a situation where most of the country is already facing life-threatening levels of hunger.”
