KABUL: The Taliban government in Afghanistan has intensified its restrictions on women, issuing directives to close all national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) employing Afghan women. The latest decree from the Ministry of Economy warns that failure to comply will result in the revocation of operating licenses for such organizations.
This decision follows a previous order from two years ago that suspended Afghan women from working in NGOs, citing non-compliance with the Islamic headscarf mandate. The ministry, tasked with overseeing and regulating all national and foreign organizational activities, reiterated its commitment to halting female employment in institutions outside the Taliban’s control.
The announcement is the latest in a series of measures systematically excluding women from public life. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghan women have been barred from most jobs, public spaces, and education beyond the sixth grade. These actions have drawn international condemnation, with the United Nations describing the situation as “gender apartheid.”
Adding to these restrictions, the Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued a decree targeting architectural privacy. The order demands that all buildings, old and new, obscure windows overlooking spaces where women might be visible, such as yards or kitchens. Property owners must install barriers, walls, or screens to comply. Municipalities have been instructed to ensure new constructions adhere to these guidelines, further limiting women’s visibility in public or private settings.
These measures have deepened concerns over the erasure of women from Afghan society and the increasing repression of their rights. International bodies and human rights organizations continue to urge the Taliban to reverse these regressive policies. Meanwhile, Afghan women and civil rights activists are left grappling with an environment that systematically diminishes their presence and role in society.
The Taliban’s directives reflect their broader agenda of enforcing strict interpretations of Islamic law, effectively sidelining half of Afghanistan’s population. The international community faces mounting pressure to address this crisis, which threatens the fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls.
