The Taliban announced plans to shut down all national and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan that employ women.
This decision follows a two-year-old directive instructing NGOs to suspend Afghan women’s employment, citing alleged non-compliance with Islamic headscarf regulations.
In a letter shared on X on Sunday night, the Economy Ministry warned that noncompliance with the new order would result in NGOs losing their operational licenses in Afghanistan.
The ministry, tasked with overseeing the registration, coordination, leadership, and supervision of all national and foreign organizations, reiterated its directive to cease employing women in institutions outside Taliban control.
“Failure to comply will lead to the cancellation of the organization’s activities, and its license, issued by the ministry, will also be revoked,” the letter stated.
The Taliban have already imposed extensive restrictions on women, barring them from many jobs and most public spaces, as well as prohibiting education beyond the sixth grade.
