Taliban Must Immediately Revoke Ban on Women Working in NGOs

By Devon Cone | December 27, 2022

See below statement from Refugees International Senior Advocate for Women and Girls Devon Cone:

“The Taliban’s decision to prohibit women from working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan is a devastating blow to a country already in the grips of a humanitarian crisis. It is the latest in a string of restrictive policies aimed to erase Afghan women from public life. Refugees International condemns this decision in the strongest of terms and remains committed to supporting Afghan women in the face of such blatant violations of their basic human rights.

This most recent decision is a clear breach of humanitarian principles. It will limit the ability of relief groups to reach Afghans with desperately needed humanitarian aid. Afghan women working for NGOs are crucial to conduct accurate and inclusive needs assessments and provide lifesaving assistance to other women. This decision could disrupt aid to millions of people. Furthermore, Afghan women employed with NGOs often help support their families who might otherwise have no income. Refugees International urges the Taliban to immediately revoke this decision.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Refugees International’s Vice President for Strategic Outreach Sarah Sheffer at ssheffer@refugeesinternational.org.

COVER PHOTO: A midwife working for NGO “Action contre la Faim”, registers patients at a mobile clinic for women and children. (Photo by ELISE BLANCHARD/AFP via Getty Images)