3 foreign relief organizations announced that they would suspend their work in Afghanistan, after the Afghan authorities ordered all local and foreign non-governmental organizations to prevent female employees from working.
And the three organizations: Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and CARE said in a joint statement - today, Sunday - that "pending a clearer picture regarding this announcement, we will suspend our programs, demanding that men and women continue equally." Provide our life-saving assistance in Afghanistan.
In the same context, the "Afghanaid" organization said - yesterday, Saturday - that it had immediately suspended its operations and was consulting with other organizations regarding the Afghan government's decision.
The Ministry of Economy in the Afghan government formed by the Taliban had ordered all non-governmental organizations to stop the work of their female employees until further notice.
Some of them do not adhere to the dress code.
The decision was met with Western condemnation and also sparked criticism inside Afghanistan, especially as it came days after the decision to suspend the studies of female students in universities.
German Foreign Minister Analina Berbock called - today - for a "clear reaction from the international community," saying - in a tweet on Twitter - that "those who exclude women and girls from work, education and public life, do not destroy their country alone."
On the other hand, Agence France-Presse reported that senior officials of the United Nations and dozens of non-governmental organizations operating in Afghanistan are discussing - today, Sunday - how to deal with the Afghan government's decision.