GENEVA:
UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday mentioned Afghanistan’s governing Taliban authorities should reverse their ban on Afghan girls working for NGOs.
Because the Taliban’s return to energy in August 2021, girls have been progressively erased from public areas, prompting the United Nations to denounce the “gender apartheid” the administration has established.
“I’m deeply alarmed on the current announcement by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan that non-governmental organisations’ licences will probably be revoked in the event that they proceed to make use of Afghan girls. That is completely the mistaken path being taken,” Turk mentioned in an announcement.
On Thursday, the Taliban’s economic system ministry wrote to ACBAR, the Company Coordinating Physique for Afghan Reduction and Improvement which brings collectively round 200 NGOs, telling them to adjust to a decree issued two years in the past which bars them from using Afghan girls.
“A follow-up round has been issued to cease the work of feminine workers in home and overseas non-governmental establishments. In case of non-cooperation, all actions of the offending establishment will probably be suspended and the operation licence they’d obtained from this ministry will probably be cancelled,” it mentioned.
On Sunday, ACBAR met with the ministry and mentioned afterwards that feminine staff in well being and training could be exempt and people working on-line might proceed as regular.
“The humanitarian state of affairs in Afghanistan stays dire, with greater than half the inhabitants residing in poverty. NGOs play an important function in offering vital life-saving help — to Afghan girls, males, women and boys — and this measure will immediately affect the flexibility of the inhabitants to obtain humanitarian assist,” mentioned Turk.
“I as soon as once more urge the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to revoke this deeply discriminatory decree, and all different measures which search to eradicate girls and women’ entry to training, work and public providers, together with healthcare, and that prohibit their freedom of motion.
“No nation can progress — politically, economically or socially — whereas excluding half of its inhabitants from public life.
“For the way forward for Afghanistan, the de facto authorities should change course.”
Taliban authorities have banned post-primary training for women and girls, restricted employment and blocked entry to parks and different public locations.