UN Suspends Humanitarian Operations at Islam Qala Border Over Taliban Gender Restrictions
The United Nations has announced the suspension of humanitarian operations at the Islam Qala border crossing as of Tuesday, November 3, due to gender-based restrictions imposed by Taliban authorities.
According to a statement from the UN, the ban on female staff not only presents immediate operational challenges but also poses serious risks to the safety and well-being of returnees—particularly women and girls. The UN stressed that delivering effective and respectful assistance to returning women and children is not possible without female aid workers on the ground.
UN figures indicate that over 60 percent of those returning to Afghanistan from Iran are women and children, and around one-third of returning families are headed by women. These statistics underscore the critical need for female staff in the aid distribution process.
The UN noted that its humanitarian partners and NGOs are currently in negotiations with Taliban authorities to find a safe and human rights-compliant solution that respects cultural sensitivities, with the aim of resuming operations.
The Taliban has yet to issue an official response regarding the suspension of activity. The imposition of further restrictions on women’s roles not only deepens the ongoing humanitarian crisis but also presents a significant barrier to the provision of essential aid for vulnerable populations.
