In a joint statement, the UN and other aid agencies said on Wednesday that women’s participation in aid projects is “non-negotiable.” “Prohibiting women from participating in development aid has direct, life-threatening consequences for all Afghans,” the statement said. “We will continue to do our best to continue lifesaving work, but assume that without the use of female rescuers we will have to suspend many activities.”
The heads of UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and the UN refugee agency UNHCR, among others, signed the statement, emphasizing: “No country can afford to exclude half of the population.”
On Saturday, the Taliban banned women from working for non-governmental organizations. Previously, women were already excluded from most government positions. Restrictions have also been imposed in education this year, such as the abolition of secondary and higher education for girls and women.