UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday urged Afghanistan's Taliban authorities to overturn their ban on Afghan women working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), calling it a deeply harmful and discriminatory decision.

Since reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban has systematically excluded women from public life, a practice the United Nations has condemned as "gender apartheid."

"I am deeply alarmed by the recent announcement from Afghanistan's de facto authorities threatening to revoke NGO licenses if they continue employing Afghan women. This is absolutely the wrong path to take," Turk said in a statement.

The Taliban's economy ministry recently issued a directive to ACBAR, the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development, which represents around 200 NGOs. The ministry demanded compliance with a two-year-old decree barring NGOs from employing Afghan women.

The ministry warned that failure to comply would result in the suspension of the offending organization's activities and the cancellation of its operating license.

Following discussions on Sunday, ACBAR reported that female workers in health and education sectors would be exempt from the ban, and women working online could continue as usual.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
"The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with more than half the population living in poverty," Turk said, emphasizing the critical role of NGOs in providing life-saving aid. "This measure will severely undermine the ability of the population to access essential humanitarian assistance."

He called on the Taliban to rescind the ban and all other policies that restrict Afghan women and girls' access to education, employment, public services, and healthcare, as well as those limiting their freedom of movement.

"No country can progress politically, economically, or socially while excluding half of its population from public life," Turk stated. "For Afghanistan’s future, the de facto authorities must change course."

Systematic Restrictions on Women
Under the Taliban regime, post-primary education for girls and women has been banned, employment opportunities severely restricted, and access to parks and public spaces blocked.

A recent directive prohibits women from singing or reciting poetry in public, requiring them to "veil" their voices and bodies outside the home. Additionally, some local media outlets have stopped broadcasting female voices altogether.

Despite these measures, the Taliban insists that Islamic law "guarantees" the rights of Afghan men and women.