3 NGOs Suspend Work In Afghanistan Over Ban On Female Workers

December 25, 2022
3 NGOs Suspend Work In Afghanistan Over Ban On Female Workers

Three Non-governmental Organisations that provide health care, education, child protection and nutrition services to the needy in Afghanistan have put on hold their work in the Middle East country.

The NGOs, which include Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE International, said on Sunday that they cannot provide assistance to the people effectively without the women on their team.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

Speaking with the Associated Press on Sunday, Neil Turner, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s chief for Afghanistan, said: “We have complied with all cultural norms and we simply can’t work without our dedicated female staff, who are essential for us to access women who are in desperate need of assistance,” he said.

The decision by the aid groups is coming after the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan banned women from working at international and local non-governmental organisations.

According to the letter to all NGOs from the Ministry of Economy, the ban is being placed because women that are aid workers do not wear the hijab.

The ministry said any NGO that does not comply, risk revoking of its license.

The US, through its Secretary of State Antony Blinken, condemned the ban and warned that the effects of the ban would be devastating for citizens in need.

“Women are central to humanitarian operations around the world. This decision could be devastating for the Afghan people,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

The South Asian branch of Amnesty International described the ban as “yet another deplorable attempt to erase women from the political, social and economic spaces” of Afghanistan.

READ ALSO: Taliban-led Afghan Govt Bans Girls From University Education

Ever since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan as the United States left last year, it has sustained a campaign of subjugation of women’s rights.

Women are not allowed to travel long distance without male companion; women have also been banned from gym and parks and, recently, girls were banned from enrolling for university education.

The economy of the Islamic country has also been on the downward trend.

Frozen billions of Afghan currency reserve and sanctions on the Taliban government have driven millions of Afghans into poverty, with families – who can no longer support their children – giving out their girls into early marriages.

According to the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, more than 28 million Afghan citizens depend on foreign aid to survive.

The current population of Afghanistan is around 41 million.

John Adoyi, PBA Journalism Mentee
+ posts
Russia Places Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, Lithuania’s Minister Of Culture Simonas Kairys on Wanted List
Previous Story

Putin Vows To Resist USA’s Patriot Defence Of Ukraine

How My Anti-racism Activism Came To Forefront During Murder Of George Floyd - Laurabel Mbah 
Next Story

George Floyd’s Murder Brought My Anti-racism Activism To Public Forefront – Laurabel Mbah 

Featured Stories

Latest from News

Gunmen Attack Obi’s Convoy in Edo State

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the convoy of Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate and current African Democratic Congress (ADC) frontrunner for the 2027 elections, on Tuesday in Edo State. The attack occurred as Obi and his entourage approached the residence

Cape Town Airport  Fire Disrupts International Flights

A fire at Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday caused major disruption to flight operations, forcing the temporary suspension of international departures and the diversion of inbound flights. The blaze, which broke out near the international terminal in the morning, led to
Acting IGP, Egbetokun, Assumes Office, Promises To Deliver On Internal Security

Presidency Explains IGP Egbetokun Resignation

Presidency has said Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun resigned due to family matters requiring his full attention. In a statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the police chief submitted his resignation in a letter on Monday, citing personal reasons. However, sources within

UK Fines Reddit £14.5m Over Children’s Data Failings

Britain’s data protection watchdog has fined Reddit £14.5m ($19.5m) for failing to protect children’s personal data and potentially exposing them to harmful content. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said the US-based platform did not properly verify users’ ages and failed to carry

Plateau Traders Buried After Attack as Tensions Rise

The bodies of traders killed in an attack in central Nigeria have been recovered and buried, as authorities moved to prevent further unrest in Plateau State. The victims, who regularly travelled from Jos to trade in nearby communities, were buried on Monday
Russia Places Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, Lithuania’s Minister Of Culture Simonas Kairys on Wanted List
Previous Story

Putin Vows To Resist USA’s Patriot Defence Of Ukraine

How My Anti-racism Activism Came To Forefront During Murder Of George Floyd - Laurabel Mbah 
Next Story

George Floyd’s Murder Brought My Anti-racism Activism To Public Forefront – Laurabel Mbah 

Don't Miss

SERAP Demands Accountability For N825bn, $2.5bn Refinery Repairs Fund From NNPCL

Account For ‘Missing’ N825b, $2.5b Refinery Funds, SERAP Tells NNPCL

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the

NUJ Slams NRC MD Over Journalist Harassment, Demands Public Apology

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT)