Taliban Bans NGOs Employing Women

The Taliban continues its draconian march against women’s rights in Afghanistan, now targeting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that employ women. In their latest decree, the Taliban has mandated the shutdown of any national or foreign NGO found employing female workers, further solidifying their oppressive grip on Afghan society.

This escalation comes two years after the Taliban initially barred NGOs from hiring Afghan women, claiming their attire violated Islamic standards. The Afghanistan Ministry of Economy reinforced this directive through a circular, warning that non-compliance would result in the suspension of operations and revocation of licenses.

The new measures align with the Taliban’s systematic erasure of women from public life since their return to power in August 2021. Women in Afghanistan have faced:

• Workplace Bans: Women are barred from working in most sectors, including education and NGOs.

• Educational Restrictions: Schools and universities have been largely closed to women and girls.

• Public Segregation: Taliban decrees enforce strict gender segregation and limit women’s mobility in public spaces.

In a separate statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid added to the oppressive measures, calling for new building designs that prevent visibility into courtyards, kitchens, and other areas where women might be seen, ostensibly to prevent “obscene acts.”

The Taliban’s actions extend beyond domestic oppression. Reports indicate a strengthening alliance with Iran’s despotic regime, highlighting a shared agenda of extremism.

• Support for Anti-Israel Forces: Iranian officials have reportedly collaborated with the Taliban, with claims that the group has offered troops to aid Iranian and Hezbollah-backed efforts against Israel.

• Meetings With Terror Proxies: Tehran has hosted meetings between the Taliban and groups like Hamas, underscoring an alarming alignment among Islamist extremist groups.

These developments reveal not only a deepening crisis for Afghan women but also a troubling geopolitical alignment that threatens regional stability.

The international community must not turn a blind eye to the plight of Afghan women. The Taliban’s brutal regime underscores the urgent need for coordinated diplomatic pressure and support for those still fighting for human rights within Afghanistan.

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