Christian Aid on Monday became the fifth foreign aid group to suspend operations in Afghanistan after the country’s Taliban rulers ordered all NGOs to stop women staff from working.
The UK charity was “rapidly seeking clarity on this announcement and urging the authorities to reverse the ban”, head of global programmes Ray Hasan said in a statement.
“Whilst we do this, we are unfortunately pausing the work of our programmes,” he added.
The announcement came after a joint statement on Sunday from Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE.
The International Rescue Committee, which provides emergency response in health, education and other areas and employs 3,000 women across Afghanistan, also said it was suspending services.
“Millions of people in Afghanistan are on the verge of starvation,” Hasan said.
“Reports that families are so desperate they have been forced to sell their children to buy food are utterly heartbreaking,” he said, adding that a ban on female aid workers would “only curtail our ability to help the growing number of people in need”.
The ban on women working is the latest blow against women’s rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban reclaimed power last year.
Less than a week ago, the hardline Islamists also barred women from attending universities, prompting global outrage and protests in some Afghan cities.
Follow us on:
Iran's Supreme Leader has warned the US and Israel of a "crushing response" following an…
Kemi Badenoch has pledged to "renew" the Conservative Party and reclaim voters as she was…
Peter Obi has criticised the court ruling withholding funds to Rivers State, calling it disturbing…
AGF Fagbemi has taken over the prosecution of 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters, addressing alleged treason and…
NNPC and Morocco's ONHYM has advanced the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, emphasising regional…
TCN has restored power on the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri line, fully operational again after vandalism halted service.