The Taliban have announced their intention to shut down all national and foreign nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan that employ women, marking a further blow to women’s rights since the group seized power in August 2021. This move comes on the heels of a previous directive issued two years ago, instructing NGOs to halt the hiring of Afghan women due to alleged violations regarding the wearing of Islamic headscarves.
In a letter released by the Economy Ministry, NGOs were warned that failure to adhere to the new order would result in the revocation of their licenses to operate within Afghanistan. The United Nations has decried the diminishing space for Afghan women over the past two years and has urged the Taliban to reverse their restrictive measures.
The Taliban’s decision to restrict women’s employment in organizations not under their control is another attempt to exert influence over NGO activities. Recent reports presented to the UN Security Council revealed that a growing number of female humanitarian workers in Afghanistan were facing obstacles in carrying out their critical relief work.
Despite mounting concerns, the Taliban have refuted claims of impeding aid efforts or interfering with NGO operations. Their policies have already marginalized women from various aspects of society, including employment opportunities, access to education beyond sixth grade, and participation in public spaces.
In a concerning development, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a decree mandating that buildings refrain from having windows overlooking areas where women might be present. The directive stipulates that new constructions, as well as existing structures, must comply with this regulation. The United Nations has urged a reversal of this mandate, emphasizing the importance of upholding women’s rights and freedoms.
The decree further specifies that windows should not provide a direct view into spaces such as yards or kitchens frequented by women. Property owners are tasked with finding solutions to obscure these views, such as erecting walls, fences, or screens. Municipal authorities are expected to oversee compliance with these guidelines during the construction of new buildings to ensure that windows do not infringe upon the privacy of residents.
The latest measures imposed by the Taliban underscore their continued efforts to exert control and enforce strict regulations within Afghanistan. Despite international condemnation and calls for a reversal of these restrictions, the Taliban remain steadfast in their implementation of policies that severely curtail women’s rights and freedoms in the country.
