At least three NGOs have partially resumed their activities with female staff in Afghanistan, after receiving assurances from the Taliban authorities that women can continue to work in the health sector.
On December 24, the Afghan Ministry of Economy announced that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were now prohibited from working with Afghan women, due to “serious complaints” as for the non-respect of the wearing of the hijab, which must completely cover the body and the face.
Several NGOs, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Save the Children and Care, immediately announced the suspension of their activities in the country to protest against this ban. In recent days, however, these NGOs have resumed providing aid in some provinces with the support of their female staff in the health and nutrition sector.
Fanoos Basir, Afghan feminist footballer, refugee in France for a year: “I have the impression that we no longer interest anyone”
“We have resumed activities in the health sector with female staff” in four provinces, IRC official Samira Sayed-Rahman told AFP.
“We are continuing discussions with provincial authorities to open health and nutrition activities in other provinces”explained in a press release the NGO.
Afghanistan faces acute food insecurity
Some 1,260 NGOs operate in the country, according to the Ministry of the Economy, and employ several thousand women in essential positions, whether in food aid programs, in the fields of health or even education.
Save the Children has also confirmed the restart of its activities in the health sector.
“We have received clear and reliable assurances from the competent authorities that our female staff will be safe and able to work without hindrance”says in a statement Save the Children.
“However, with the general ban still in place, our other activities for which we have no reliable assurances that our female colleagues can work, remain on hold.”adds the association.
Sold at 5 years old for 10,000 Afghanis (108 euros): in Afghanistan, the return of forced marriages
In a press release, Care also announced that it “resumes health and nutrition activities in Afghanistan with male and female staff”.
“NGOs working in the health sector work with their female staff (…). We need them to support malnourished children and other women in need of health services”said Tuesday, January 17 to AFP the spokesman for the Ministry of Economy, Abdul Rahman Habib.
“They all work according to our religious and cultural values”he added.
NGOs provide essential aid for this country where more than half of the 38 million inhabitants are facing acute food insecurity.
