UN Calls for Ban Repeal on Females Working in NGOs

Recently, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) has finally called for the ban repeal on females working in non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson for the High Commissioner, Ravina Shamdasani stated that the Islamic Emirate must reconsider its decrees, specifically regarding females for Afghanistan’s future.

Ravina underscored that banning on the activities of women in these organisations would impact on the access of people to humanitarian aid.

Most recently, Islamic Emirate has not commented anything on this matter. However, the Ministry of Economy again issued an order for stopping female from working in NGOs, on December 29. The ministry’s spokesperson made an announcement that 853 NGOs are registered with Ministry of Economy at the same time. 175 out of 853 are foreign and rest 678 are domestic.

She said, “We urge the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to reverse this deeply discriminatory decree. And all other measures which seek to eradicate women and girls’ access to education, work and public services.”

In addition, an university professor and women's rights activist Bahara Atayi added, “Working women play a very significant role in improving the economic situation of families, and restricting them could impose further financial pressures on households.”