UN Strongly Criticizes Restrictions on Female Aid Workers in Afghanistan

DID Press:  UN Secretary-General António Guterres described restrictions imposed by Afghanistan’s Taliban caretaker government on female aid workers as “unbearable and damaging,” warning that such measures will worsen the humanitarian crisis in earthquake-affected areas.

Speaking at a press briefing in New York, Guterres condemned the Taliban’s decision to bar women from participating in relief efforts in Kunar province, calling the move irrational and severely harmful to Afghanistan people.

UN chief stressed that excluding women from aid delivery makes it impossible to reach large segments of society and carries grave humanitarian consequences. “We are mobilizing the international community to persuade the Taliban that women’s presence in humanitarian operations is essential. Without it, assistance will not reach those in need,” he said.

UN previously announced that the Taliban had restricted the work of female aid staff in earthquake-hit regions as of September 10, a decision that has severely disrupted relief operations.

Guterres further warned that restrictions on women’s education and employment continue to obstruct Afghanistan’s human development and threaten the future of millions of Afghanistan girls. Humanitarian organizations have also reported that barring women from access to aid has directly contributed to rising mortality rates.