The ban on Afghan women’s employment in domestic and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has reached its two-year mark under the interim government. Two years ago, the Ministry of Economy issued a letter prohibiting women and girls from working in NGOs and organizations.
On December 24, 2022, the Ministry of Economy of the interim government declared in a written statement that the work of women and girls in all NGOs, including United Nations offices, was banned.
The letter stated that if institutions defied this order, their operating licenses would be revoked.
Following this government decision, several humanitarian organizations suspended their activities in Afghanistan, while others reduced their operations.
This current government’s ban, alongside women’s unemployment, has led to an increase in domestic violence, mental health issues, rising poverty, and has disrupted aid delivery to those in need over the past two years.
This action by the current government has sparked strong reactions from aid organizations and human rights entities over the past two years as well.
Additionally, some women who lost their jobs due to the current government’s ban say they have faced numerous economic challenges over the past two years and have no means to support their families.
Halima, one of these women, states that poverty and the illness of her parents have soured her sweetest years of youth. She and her sister were the sole breadwinners for their family of seven.
Halima, a resident of Herat province, says: “My sister and I were the only ones paying for the expenses of our five sisters, father, and mother; but for two years now, we have both been unemployed. My father is also sick. Our living conditions had improved for two years because we studied hard for years to escape poverty and misery; but when we were told we could no longer work, we are currently suffering from economic problems and as dignified women, we do not know how to provide for ourselves.”
Furthermore, during more than three years of their rule, the current government has prohibited girls above the sixth grade from education, closed university doors to women and girls, barred women from working in most government offices and all foreign institutions, restricted their access to recreational parks, denied them the right to travel without a male guardian, and most recently deprived women and girls of education in medical institutes.
