Taliban orders NGOs to ban female employees from working
FOX NewsFEB 22 2023
Taliban Orders NGOs to Stop Employing Women or Face Closure
Above: Afghan burqa-clad women rest along a roadside in Kandahar on Dec. 28, 2024. Image copyright: Sanullah Seiam/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
In a letter published on X (formerly Twitter), Afghanistan's Economy Ministry said that all national and foreign nongovernmental organizations must stop employing women or risk losing their operating licenses.
Additionally, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered buildings to modify windows that overlook areas where women might be present, requiring the installation of walls, fences, or screens.
This comes two years after the Taliban administration told the NGOs operating on its soil to suspend female employment, allegedly due to non-compliance with Islamic dress code interpretations.
The Spin
Narrative A
These restrictions are a clear breach of humanitarian principles and constitute gender apartheid, severely impacting crucial aid delivery to millions of vulnerable Afghans. The systematic elimination of women from public life contradicts international human rights standards and threatens the effectiveness of essential humanitarian operations.
Narrative B
Nearly 9K work permits have been issued to women since 2021, which demonstrates the Taliban's commitment to appropriate female participation in the workforce. The recent measures align with traditional Islamic values and Afghan cultural norms and are necessary to ensure proper adherence to maintain public safety.
Metaculus Prediction
Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!