The Taliban government has announced the closure of all national and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that employ women in Afghanistan. This directive, issued by the Ministry of Economy, threatens to revoke licenses of any NGO that fails to comply.
The warning comes two years after the Taliban initially suspended the employment of Afghan women, citing non-compliance with its interpretation of Islamic dress codes. The Ministry emphasized its role in overseeing all activities of NGOs, stating that non-cooperation would result in the cancellation of their operations.
Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, women have faced severe restrictions, including bans on education beyond primary levels and limited access to public spaces. The United Nations has condemned these actions, labeling them as 'gender apartheid.' Recent reports indicate an increasing number of female humanitarian workers are being obstructed from performing their duties, despite the urgent need for aid in the country.
In a related development, Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhunzada has issued a decree mandating that buildings must not have windows overlooking areas where women might be present. This applies to both new constructions and existing buildings, requiring property owners to obscure any such views to comply with the new regulations.
Additionally, a recent law has prohibited Afghan women from singing or reciting poetry in public, further restricting their presence in cultural spaces.