Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the ban on women working for aid charities would stop millions of people from getting support.
26 December 2022
The Taliban are “trying to erase women from society in Afghanistan”, James Cleverly said, after international aid agencies were forced to pull out over a ban on female workers.
The Foreign Secretary urged the ruling Taliban regime to reverse the decision, warning that millions of Afghans would suffer as a result of the policy.
Meanwhile the United Nations’ top official in Kabul met with a Taliban minister to discuss the decision and its consequences for humanitarian relief efforts.
The Taliban are trying to erase women from society in Afghanistan.
Banning women from working for NGOs will prevent millions of Afghans from accessing life-saving aid and supplies. This will impact everyone.
The Taliban must urgently reverse this decision.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) December 26, 2022
The ban on women working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has already prompted four major international aid agencies to suspend operations in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Secretary said: “The Taliban are trying to erase women from society in Afghanistan.
“Banning women from working for NGOs will prevent millions of Afghans from accessing life-saving aid and supplies. This will impact everyone.
“The Taliban must urgently reverse this decision.”
Acting UNAMA head @RamizAlakbarov met Taliban Economy Minister Mohammad Hanif today in Kabul, calling for reversal of decision to ban women from NGO & INGO humanitarian work. Millions of Afghans need humanitarian assistance and removing barriers is vital.
— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) December 26, 2022
The measure – the latest restrictions on women’s rights under the Taliban – was announced on Saturday by Qari Din Mohammed Hanif, the economy minister, allegedly because some female NGO employees in Afghanistan were not wearing the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, correctly.
The UN mission in Afghanistan’s acting head, Ramiz Alakbarov, met with Mr Hanif on Monday and called for a reversal of the ban.
Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Care had been providing essential services and support amid plummeting living conditions before the ban.
It’s been a bitter year in Afghanistan. The latest developments cap it off. We depend on Afghan female staff: they are a lifeline for millions of clients and we cannot work without them. We need them back at work as soon as possible. https://t.co/6G4bZ9EvFk
— David Miliband (@DMiliband) December 25, 2022
David Miliband, the former foreign secretary who leads the International Rescue Committee, said its female staff were “a lifeline for millions of clients and we cannot work without them”.
Islamic Relief said its female staff were vital in providing essential healthcare, food and supporting widows and orphans.
It is temporarily suspending non-lifesaving activities in Afghanistan because of the ban, although its lifesaving healthcare will continue.
