The UN refugee agency says it is in talks with the Taliban to restore the role of female aid workers at cash assistance centers for returnees, after operations were suspended this week over restrictions on women’s employment.
Arafat Jamal, UNHCR’s representative in Afghanistan, said the agency was pursuing a “speedy and pragmatic resolution” that would enable female staff to resume their duties.
“We are working towards a solution that will enable female aid workers to assist female returnees, and are hopeful for a speedy and pragmatic resolution, in collaboration with the authorities,” Jamal said Thursday. “Meanwhile, we have been forced to temporarily suspend activities.”
The suspension has highlighted how the Taliban’s curbs on women’s work continue to undermine aid delivery at a time of growing humanitarian need. UNHCR says 52 percent of returnees are women, making the participation of female staff essential for conducting interviews and providing services in ways that align with cultural norms.
The agency stressed that its priority remains the safety of staff and the continuation of humanitarian support for Afghans returning from abroad, while urging authorities to allow women to participate.
Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on Afghan women, including barring them from most employment and public life. International organizations have repeatedly warned that the policies are crippling the delivery of aid in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
