UN calls for lifting ban on women working in NGOs

KABUL (TOLOnews): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) has called for the repeal of the ban on women working in non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner, stated that the Islamic Emirate must reconsider its decrees regarding women for the future of Afghanistan.

She emphasized that banning women’s activities in these organizations would directly impact people’s access to humanitarian aid.

Ravina Shamdasani said: “We urge the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to reverse this deeply discriminatory decree. And all other measures which seek to eradicate women and girls’ access to education, work and public services.”

But what will be the consequences of this decision for women?

“Working women play a very significant role in improving the economic situation of families, and restricting them could impose further financial pressures on households,” said Bahara Atayi, a women’s rights activist and university professor.

Siyar Quraishi, an expert on economic issues, spoke about the negative impacts of this decree:

“This could create more challenges in delivering aid to various provinces, districts, and villages.”

The Islamic Emirate has recently not commented on this matter. However, on December 29, the Ministry of Economy once again issued an order to stop women from working in NGOs. At the same time, the spokesperson for this ministry announced that 853 NGOs, of which 175 are foreign and 678 domestic, are registered with the Ministry of Economy.