In what appears to be a preplanned move, Taliban government in Afghanistan placed a ban on women jobs, ordering all local and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGO) to stop female employees from coming to offices.
This was revealed in letter from economy ministry of the country, and was later confirmed by the ministry spokesman Abdul Rahman Habib. “The female will not be allowed to work till further orders,” he told media.
A source in the ministry however said on condition of anonymity that the decision was taken after reports suggesting some working women were not following Islamic dress code.
The ministry’s letter warned the NGO that they would be also be banned from working in Afghanistan if they found not complying with the order.
The order came days after the Taliban government issued orders to universities to close women classes, sparking strong global condemnation and protests inside Afghanistan.
It could not be immediately ascertained as how the order would affect UN agencies, having huge presence in Afghanistan helping out the government in dealing with humanitarian crisis. BBC has also reported it.
When asked if the order affect UN agencies, the spokesman Habib said the UN agencies wouldn’t be affected rather the letter was applicable to organisations under Afghanistan’s coordinating body that includes more than 180 local and international NGOs.
The United Nations often contracts with NGOs registered in Afghanistan to carry out its humanitarian work in the crisis hit areas.
Aid workers say female workers are critical to ensuring women can access aid.
Read more:
