UN Women Urges Taliban to Lift Ban on Female Afghan Staff After Three-Month Suspension
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) on Saturday, December 7, expressed deep concern over the continued ban on Afghan female staff working at UN offices in Afghanistan. In a statement, the agency highlighted that nearly three months—91 days—have passed since the Taliban administration imposed the restriction, forcing female employees to carry out their duties from home.
Susan Ferguson, the UN Women representative in Afghanistan, warned that the prolonged enforcement of these restrictions would severely impact the delivery of essential and life-saving services. She emphasized that the presence of Afghan women staff members is indispensable for UN operations in the country, as it ensures safe, culturally appropriate, and effective access to women and girls in need. The organization reiterated that aid must be provided by women, for women.
The United Nations condemned the Taliban’s actions as a clear violation of fundamental human rights principles and strongly opposed the administration’s stance on women’s rights. The UN called for the immediate reversal of the ban, demanding that Afghan female staff and contractors be granted safe access to UN offices and operational areas so they can deliver aid to women and girls living in some of the most difficult conditions.
Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had confirmed that female employees were being harassed and threatened by Taliban fighters. These reports have further raised concerns over the safety and freedom of female staff working in the country.
