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The Taliban has announced new restrictions targeting women and humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan.
Some shit you should know before you read: Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the group has systematically dismantled women’s rights, imposing draconian restrictions on their participation in public life. Women have been barred from most jobs, prohibited from accessing education beyond the sixth grade, and excluded from public spaces such as parks and gyms. The Taliban has also banned women from receiving medical training, traveling alone, and implementing strict dress codes, such as mandatory headscarves.
What’s the deal: In an announcement on Sunday night, the Taliban said that all national and foreign NGOs operating in Afghanistan must cease employing women or face immediate revocation of their operating licenses. The Economy Ministry, responsible for the registration and oversight of these organizations, said that failure to comply with the directive would result in the cancellation of all activities and licenses granted by the ministry.
In addition, the Taliban has implemented a decree mandating that residential windows be designed or altered to prevent visibility into spaces where women might be seen, such as courtyards, kitchens, or wells. This rule applies to both new constructions and existing buildings, requiring property owners to obscure such views by installing walls, fences, or screens. The directive, issued by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, orders municipal authorities to begin ensuring compliance. According to Akhundzada, he justified this move because he believed that the visibility of women in private spaces could lead to “obscene acts.”
Significant impacts: According to the United Nations, the Taliban’s ban on employing women in NGOs is expected to severely undermine humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, a country already facing widespread food insecurity and economic hardship. Since the Taliban’s takeover, women have been critical in delivering aid, particularly to other women and children in conservative communities where male workers often lack access. International humanitarian agencies have warned that the restriction will delay vital assistance and worsen existing logistical challenges, potentially leaving millions without the desperately needed support.
