International NGOs Suspends Operations In Afghanistan, Know Why

Kabul: After the Taliban ordered all NGOs to stop their women staff from working, several foreign aid groups have reportedly suspended their operations in Afghanistan.

The order from the Taliban threatened the NGOs after it said: “serious complaints” were received that women working in NGOs were not observing a proper Islamic dress code.

On Monday, at least four international non-profits issued statements highlighting the crucial nature of the role of women in providing aid to the country’s needy.

Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have said they will wind up operations in Afghanistan.

“Whilst we gain clarity on this announcement, we are suspending our programmes, demanding that men and women can equally continue our lifesaving assistance in Afghanistan,” read the statement.

“With Afghanistan in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis and economic collapse, humanitarian actors have been essential in saving lives in the country over the course of the past year,” the IRC said in a separate statement.

“None of that would have been possible without female humanitarian workers. If we are not allowed to employ women, we are not able to deliver to those in need. Therefore, the IRC is currently suspending our services in Afghanistan,” it added.