The Taliban government announced it will close all national and foreign non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan that employ women, in another severe restriction on women’s visibility in the country.
In a letter published Sunday night on social media platform X, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy warned that NGOs failing to comply would lose their operating licences. The ministry, which is responsible for the registration and oversight of NGO activities, demanded all female employees cease work in non-Taliban controlled institutions.
Widened Restrictions
The announcement comes as Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a separate decree banning windows in buildings that overlook areas where women might be present, such as courtyards and kitchens. Property owners must install walls or screens to “remove harm” where such views exist, according to the four-clause decree.
These latest proscriptions follow a pattern of increasing gender segregation policies since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The government has already barred women from most public jobs, spaces, and education beyond sixth grade. Recent Taliban edicts have extended to banning women from singing or reciting poetry in public, with some local broadcasters stopping the airing of female voices.
Diplomatic Context
The Taliban’s recent directives coincide with ongoing diplomatic efforts between Afghanistan and the Syrian government under Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. Similar to the Taliban, the global community is closely scrutinising the policies of the emerging HTS administration, especially those affecting women and minorities.
Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi recently engaged in discussions with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, signaling a willingness to establish diplomatic ties. During their meeting, Muttaqi noted Afghanistan’s ability to “deeply understand Syria’s current situation,” drawing parallels to Afghanistan’s own decades-long struggles.
International Reactions
The international community has reacted strongly to the Taliban’s restrictions. The UN Security Council recently heard that growing numbers of female Afghan humanitarian workers face interference from Taliban authorities. Tom Fletcher, a senior UN official, reported rising incidents of both female and male aid workers being stopped by Taliban morality police.
While Taliban officials deny obstructing aid agencies, UN associate spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez warned the restrictions severely impact humanitarian assistance delivery. “We are talking about a country where half the population’s rights are being denied and are living in poverty, and many of them, not just women, are facing a humanitarian crisis,” said Nino-Martinez.
Enforcing a Prior Ban
The government’s directive came two years after the Taliban instructed NGOs to suspend the employment of Afghan women. Western foreign ministers and the European Union then issued a joint statement condemning the decision as “reckless and dangerous,” warning it puts millions of aid-dependent Afghans at risk. “Unless [women] participate in aid delivery in Afghanistan, NGOs will be unable to reach the country’s most vulnerable people,” the joint statement read.
The Taliban maintains it has not imposed complete bans on women’s activities, citing nearly 9,000 work permits issued to women since taking power.
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