United Nations (TDI): The United Nations in Afghanistan has urged the Taliban authorities to immediately lift restrictions preventing Afghan women staff from entering UN premises, warning that the move risks life-saving humanitarian operations for communities reeling from last month’s devastating earthquake.
According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the ban, first enforced in Kabul when security forces blocked female staff and contractors from UN compounds, has now extended to field offices nationwide.
Taliban security personnel are stationed at entrances to UN premises in Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif to enforce the directive.
“These measures are particularly concerning in view of continuing restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls,” UNAMA said, stressing that the ban undermines critical relief efforts, especially for women and children.
Read More: Ban on Afghan Women in NGOs Wrong: UN
Reports have also emerged of female staff being prevented from traveling to field sites to aid earthquake survivors and Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan.
The restrictions have already forced agencies like UNHCR to suspend operations at returnee support centers, where female staff are essential to interviewing and assisting women beneficiaries.
Since January, more than 2.4 million Afghans have returned or been deported from neighboring countries, many requiring immediate humanitarian assistance.
Read More: Pakistan Envoy Flags Women’s Rights Concerns in Afghanistan
UN officials underscored that obstructing the movement of its personnel breaches international conventions on the privileges and immunities of the organization.
The UN reiterated its commitment to a “culturally sensitive and principled approach” that ensures assistance reaches Afghan women through female staff, calling the Taliban’s latest measures a severe blow to humanitarian neutrality.
