The United Nations calls on the Taliban to allow Afghan women to work in its offices
It called United Nations Sunday The Taliban authorities have decided to lift a three-month ban on their Afghan female employees working at their headquarters in Afghanistan, warning that this measure threatens… "Vital assistance services"
The representative of UN Women in Afghanistan, Susan Ferguson, said in a statement "We call for lifting the ban on female Afghan UN staff and contractors entering UN headquarters, and for safe access to offices and in the field, so that aid can reach the women and girls who need it most."
Imposing the ban
The Taliban authorities, which implement a strict interpretation of Islamic law, imposed this ban three months ago.
According to UN sources, this ban affected hundreds of female Afghan employees.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they have prevented Afghan women from practicing many jobs, from visiting parks and beauty salons, and from attending schools after the age of 12. year.
Providing aid
The United Nations explained that its female employees continued "Their vital work for the Afghan people" remotely for three months, especially to provide assistance to the victims of the deadly earthquakes that struck Afghanistan in recent months, and to the Afghan migrants who were returned en masse from Pakistan and Iran.
But Susan Ferguson confirmed that "Prolonging these restrictions puts vital assistance services at increased risk"Pointing out that this ban "It violates the principles of human rights and equality stipulated in the United Nations Charter"
The representative of UN Women said "It is only thanks to these women that the United Nations can reach women and girls" In Afghanistan.
It was not immediately possible to contact the Taliban authorities to obtain a comment.
Suspension of aid
In mid-September, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was forced to suspend aid provided to Afghan migrants in cash aid distribution centers.
The Commission justified this decision by the impossibility of "Conducting interviews and collecting information about 52% of migrants returning to the country who are women, without the presence of female employees".
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