Taliban Orders NGOs to Stop Employing Women or Face Closure

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Above: Afghan burqa-clad women rest along a roadside in Kandahar on Dec. 28, 2024. Image copyright: Sanullah Seiam/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

  • In a letter published on X (formerly Twitter), Afghanistan's Economy Ministry said that all national and foreign nongovernmental organizations must stop employing women or risk losing their operating licenses.

  • Additionally, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered buildings to modify windows that overlook areas where women might be present, requiring the installation of walls, fences, or screens.

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The Spin

Narrative A

These restrictions are a clear breach of humanitarian principles and constitute gender apartheid, severely impacting crucial aid delivery to millions of vulnerable Afghans. The systematic elimination of women from public life contradicts international human rights standards and threatens the effectiveness of essential humanitarian operations.

Tolonews

Narrative B

Nearly 9K work permits have been issued to women since 2021, which demonstrates the Taliban's commitment to appropriate female participation in the workforce. The recent measures align with traditional Islamic values and Afghan cultural norms and are necessary to ensure proper adherence to maintain public safety.

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