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The Taliban, in power in Afghanistan since August 2021, banned Afghan women this Saturday, December 24 from working for national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In response, several international NGOs have decided to suspend their activities until further notice.
With our correspondent in Islamabad, Sonia Ghezali
This decision comes only a few days following the prohibition of access to universities women. The Taliban, in power in Afghanistan since August 2021, banned Afghan women this Saturday, December 24 from working for national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Ministry of the Economy invokes ” serious complaints that women did not follow an appropriate dress code.
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The Danish NGO DACAAR, which works in particular on access to water and which employs many women across the country, is one of the international NGOs which is suspending its activities from tomorrow. Its director, John Morse, contacted by telephone, indicated that he was closing their office and that a team meeting will take place this Sunday to decide on the conduct to be adopted. ” The question is how to help women to make the Taliban reverse their decision he says.
NGOs employ many women
Some international NGOs have decided to ask their female employees to work from home until further notice. A few NGOs that operate in the medical sector, on the other hand, have decided to continue their activities, because there are many patients. ” It’s a shock “, recognize several non-governmental organizations, but the tone had already been set for several months. Women-led NGOs in Afghanistan were already struggling to renew their licenses.
NGOs are one of the few sectors that have a high percentage of women among their employees. These women are often the only ones working in their homes and supporting their families financially as Afghanistan goes through a severe economic crisis.
The EU “strongly condemns” this ban
« The European Union strongly condemns the recent decision by the Taliban to ban women from working in national and international NGOs “said a spokeswoman for the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, in a statement sent to AFP. “We are assessing the situation and the impact it will have on our aid on the ground.”
