The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), European Union (EU), and Germany have reacted against the Taliban’ ban on women’s work. They have warned of consequences that this ban could jeopardize the process of humanitarian delivery services in Afghanistan.
The OIC termed this Taliban decision as “another severe blow” to basic rights of women in Afghanistan following the bans on women education in the country.
The Secretary-General of the OIC, Hissein Brahim Taha, expressed “exacerbated concerns” over the Taliban latest ban on women’s rights in a statement on Sunday, December 25. “H.E. Taha indicated that the move reflects a willful policy by the de facto leadership apparently seeking to further impact Afghan women’s rights,” part of the statement reads.
According to the statement, the Secretary-General of the Islamic organization has called on the Taliban authorities to revisit their decision.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock said that they will not accept the Taliban using humanitarian aid as a “plaything” for implementing their misogynist policies.
Noting that the Taliban have violated humanitarian principles and endangered the response to the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people, she warned of a “strong response” from the international community.
Moreover, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrel strongly condemned this latest ban on women’s right to work, calling on the Taliban to lift their decision immediately.
“The EU is appalled by these decisions, which add to previous restrictions introduced by the Taliban on women’s ability and right to work, get an education and, as repeatedly emphasized by the whole international community, constitutes a clear violation of their basic human rights,” the EU stated.
These restrictions, the EU added, amount to women erasing from public space.
EU has remained one of Afghanistan’s major donors in humanitarian aid after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, according to the statement issued on Sunday.
The UN Women also reacted against the decision in a tweet, indicating that it will have an unprecedented impact.
The Taliban’s ban is a breach of humanitarian principles and condemns Afghans to a further and deepening crisis, it further warned.
In an official letter, the Taliban Ministry of Economy banned all women from working for all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) last Saturday. The decision taken a few days after banning all educational centers for female students continues to draw international condemnation.
Meanwhile, the Taliban authorities continue to take defensive stances against these reactions and introduce more restrictions on women.
