Taliban orders NGOs to stop employing women or face closure

In a continuation of restrictive measures targeting women in Afghanistan, the Taliban has announced that all national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) employing women must immediately terminate their female staff.

Non-compliance will result in the suspension of operations and the cancellation of licenses, according to a statement released by the Afghan Ministry of Economy.

The directive, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the Ministry, reiterated its authority over domestic and foreign NGOs. The statement warned that any organization failing to comply with the order would face severe consequences, including losing their right to operate in Afghanistan.

This new restriction builds upon previous Taliban mandates, such as the 2021 order barring NGOs from employing Afghan women, allegedly due to improper adherence to Islamic dress codes.

Since reclaiming power in 2021, the Taliban has systematically excluded Afghan women from nearly every facet of public life. Women have been banned from attending schools and universities beyond sixth grade, accessing most workplaces, and even entering public parks and bathhouses.

The latest restriction follows an earlier decree prohibiting the construction of windows in residential buildings overlooking areas frequented by women. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid justified the move, claiming that observing women in courtyards, kitchens, or at wells could incite inappropriate behavior.

These measures reflect the Taliban's increasing efforts to erase women's presence in Afghan society. The clampdown has drawn widespread international condemnation, with critics arguing that the actions violate fundamental human rights and further isolate Afghanistan from global support networks.

As NGOs play a crucial role in providing aid and services in the crisis-stricken country, this new order risks undermining critical humanitarian efforts.