The G7 calls on the Taliban to reverse the ban on women in NGOs

Europe 1 with AFP 11:38 a.m., December 29, 2022

The heads of diplomacy of the great powers of the G7 on Thursday summoned the Taliban to reverse "urgently" the "irresponsible and dangerous" ban imposed on women from working in NGOs, which risks affecting "millions of Afghans".

In a statement, the foreign ministers of the group of industrialized countries (United States, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan) "call on the Taliban to urgently reverse their decision".

They say they are "seriously concerned" by an irresponsible and dangerous ban (...) which endangers millions of Afghans who depend on humanitarian aid for their survival".

Several NGOs have suspended their activities

The Taliban, who took power in Kabul in August 2021 and whose authority is not recognized by most of the international community, have just banned women and girls a few days apart from pursuing university studies and work in national or international NGOs.

Many NGOs depend on their female employees and will not be able to function without them.

On Monday, several NGOs suspended their activities there, the Taliban having threatened to revoke the authorizations of organizations that do not respect the decree.

"Disdain for women and girls"

Without the participation of women who play a "central role", "NGOs will be unable to reach the most vulnerable people in the country to provide them with food, medicine, means to survive the winter and other materials and services they need to live", alarmed the G7 ministers, joined by several countries including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia.

"The Taliban continue to demonstrate their contempt for the rights, freedoms and well-being of the Afghan people, especially women and girls, and their disinterest in normal relations with the international community," they denounce.