The United Nations has confirmed that the Taliban government in Afghanistan has recently forced hundreds of women to leave their jobs, alleging non-compliance with the Sharia law requirements imposed on women throughout the country.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, this job termination has been documented in its latest human rights report covering the last quarter of 2023. Afghanistan is a country where millions of people urgently require humanitarian aid, as reported by Alhurra channel.
The report added that the de facto authorities continue to impose and issue restrictions on women’s rights to work, education, and freedom of movement. The Taliban’s Ministry of Amr bil Maruf and Nahi Anil Munkar (Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) implemented these measures, hindering women from working or accessing services for reasons such as being unmarried or not having a male guardian.
The report pointed out that non-compliance with the hijab or dress code, absence of a male guardian, and other restrictions imposed on women visiting public places, offices, and educational institutions have apparently resulted in at least 600 women losing their jobs. For instance, the regional branch of the ministry prevented 400 women from working in a pine nut packing factory in the eastern province of Nangarhar in October, with no reasons given, while men were allowed to continue working.
Furthermore, it was detailed that a power station operated by the Taliban in the northern province of Balkh, in November last year, laid off 200 women for financial reasons, while no male employee faced the same action.
The Taliban’s recent return to power in Afghanistan occurred in August 2021, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. This takeover followed the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces, which began in May 2021 as part of an agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban signed in February 2020. The Taliban’s rapid advance across Afghanistan culminated in the capture of Kabul on August 15, 2021, leading to the collapse of the US-backed government and the exile of former President Ashraf Ghani.
This return to power came nearly 20 years after the Taliban were originally overthrown by U.S. troops in 2001. The Taliban’s resurgence was unexpected in its speed, with the group capturing the entire country, including the presidential palace in Kabul, in less than 10 days. Their leadership has expressed intentions for peace and an inclusive government compatible with Islamic law, but these claims have been met with skepticism, especially given their previous rule characterized by strict interpretations of Islamic law and severe restrictions on women’s rights and civil liberties.
Since regaining control, the Taliban have reversed much of the progress Afghanistan had made in the last two decades, especially regarding human rights, women’s education, and media freedom. The country is now facing a major humanitarian crisis, with millions of Afghans dependent on aid and a significant proportion of the population threatened by hunger. The international community has been cautious in its dealings with the Taliban, particularly concerning the provision of financial aid, due to concerns that the funds might be misused.
