Janice R. Andrews
The Taliban administration has announced plans to revoke licenses of both domestic and international NGOs that continue to employ Afghan women, marking a further tightening of restrictions on women’s professional activities. This announcement came through an official communication from the Economy Ministry posted on X (previously Twitter) on Sunday evening.
This latest decree builds upon a previous 2021 ban on women working in NGOs, which the Taliban justified by citing violations of Islamic dress requirements. The Economy Ministry, asserting its authority over all organizational operations in the country, warned that any organization defying this order risks immediate termination of their operational permits.
The humanitarian community has responded with serious concern. UN reports indicate growing interference with aid operations, particularly noting increased obstacles for female humanitarian workers. While Taliban officials deny impeding aid efforts, there are increasing reports of their morality police targeting aid workers of both genders.
The Taliban’s governance since their 2021 return to power has been marked by systematic restrictions on women’s rights, including limits on employment, public movement, and education beyond elementary school. This new directive further constrains women’s already limited participation in society, potentially worsening Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation.
Additionally, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued new architectural requirements mandating that building windows must not overlook areas where women may be present. The Saturday night decree requires modifications such as walls, fences, or screens to prevent visibility into spaces like kitchens and courtyards.
These intensifying restrictions on women’s freedoms have prompted widespread international condemnation. Human rights organizations and world leaders continue to press for policy reversals, expressing deep concern about the future of Afghan women under Taliban rule.
