Taliban Government Orders Closure of NGOs Employing Women in Afghanistan
02 JAN 2025
The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has announced its decision to close all national and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that employ women.
L: An Afghan woman is checked by a nutritionist at a clinic run by the WFP, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (PC: Ebrahim Noroozi, AP) R: Afghan women walk along a street in Kandahar on December 18, 2024. (PC: Sanaullah Seiam)
The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has announced its decision to close all national and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that employ women. The Ministry of Economy issued a stern warning on Sunday, stating that failure to comply with the directive will result in the suspension of the NGO’s activities and the revocation of its operating licence.
This directive follows a similar order issued two years ago, which suspended the employment of Afghan women in NGOs, citing non-compliance with the Taliban's interpretation of the Islamic dress code.
The Ministry emphasized its authority over the registration, coordination, and supervision of all NGO activities in Afghanistan. The statement reiterated that organizations employing women outside Taliban-controlled institutions must cease such practices immediately. “Non-compliance will lead to the cancellation of the organization’s licence and a complete halt to its activities,” the ministry declared.
Since reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban has significantly curtailed women’s rights, drawing international condemnation. Women have been barred from secondary and higher education, excluded from most workplaces, and restricted from public spaces like parks. The United Nations has described these measures as "gender apartheid."
Afghan women and children wait for their turn to see a doctor at Yaka Dokan health clinic run by nonprofit organization World Vision, in Yaka Dokan village, Herat, Afghanistan. (PC: SAYED HASSIB / REUTERS)
Earlier this month, the UN reported increasing restrictions on female humanitarian workers, further complicating relief efforts in the country. Despite critical needs, a growing number of aid workers have been blocked from performing their duties.
While the Taliban denies interfering with aid organizations, it claims its policies are necessary to uphold Afghan laws and societal norms. The administration also insists it has not entirely banned women from work, highlighting that nearly 9,000 work permits have been issued to women since their takeover.
New Decrees Tighten Restrictions on Women
In a separate development, Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhunzada has issued a decree mandating that buildings should not have windows overlooking areas where women might sit or stand, such as yards or kitchens.
The four-clause order applies to both new and existing structures. Property owners must ensure that such windows are obscured using walls, fences, or screens to "remove harm." Municipal authorities have been instructed to oversee compliance during construction.
Additionally, a recent law prohibits Afghan women from singing or reciting poetry in public. Some local radio and television stations have also ceased broadcasting female voices, further suppressing women’s visibility and participation in public life.
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