Afghan women ‘feeling helpless’ over ban on Taliban-affiliated NGO | Taliban news

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Working as a mental health doctor in Afghanistan, life for 42-year-old Alia has not been easy under Taliban rule in the country.

Since seizing power last year, the Taliban have placed increasing restrictions on women’s freedoms – from education to clothing, to their daily movements and now work. This made it difficult for Alia, who is the primary provider for her family, to pursue her career with the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

The nature of Alia’s work, and the international organization she was associated with, allowed her to continue working, even as other women across the country were forced out of their jobs.

After the Taliban came, there was some fear among us [female employees] But we succeeded in working by adhering to their rules, such as covering up with the hijab as they decide and always traveling to work with a Mahram. [a male family member]you remember.

“It was very difficult, but we were providing much needed services to some very remote and underprivileged areas of this country,” she said.

They even allowed our team of doctors to operate. We were providing critical services to women and children, and I also worked with patients who needed mental health support,” she added, a sense of pride palpable in her voice.

But all that came to a halt on Saturday, when the Taliban banned women from working for local and foreign NGOs in Afghanistan.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Economy said that the workers’ failure to wear the headscarf led to the ban “until further notice.”

The recent ban on women working follows the recent ban on female students from attending universities – both indicative of the Taliban’s hardline approach. Al Jazeera’s requests to contribute to this story from a Taliban spokesperson were not answered.

“I don’t know how we will continue to survive,” Alia told Al Jazeera. “I have been working since 2008 and I support my family of six. My husband’s income is not stable and he hardly covers the rent.”

“Indeed, in this current economy, I find it difficult to provide a better future for my children. But if mothers like me are unable to work now, we will have to raise illiterate children for the sake of the future society.

Aside from her personal loss, Alia was most concerned about the communities she works with.

“This is not only a loss for my family, but also for many of the families we were counting on. They are far away [more] She said.

“When I think of these people, I feel unwell and think my heart will explode with pain.”

Discrimination towards half of the population

In response to the Taliban’s ban on women working, several international NGOs working in Afghanistan, including Alia’s employer – the International Rescue Committee – have suspended their services in the country.

The International Rescue Committee has been working in Afghanistan since 1988, with over 3,000 women working there, before the ban, in various capacities. Never before have you had to stop providing life-saving services to those in need.

“For IRC, our ability to provide services depends on female staff at all levels of our organization. If we are not allowed to employ women, we will not be able to deliver to those in need. The International Rescue Committee is currently suspending our services in Afghanistan,” the organization said in a statement.

The statement added that the exclusion of women from the provision of humanitarian services will have “serious consequences for the Afghan people.”

Similar sentiments have been echoed by other international NGOs who have been “forced” by the ban on female workers to suspend vital services.

“We can’t do our work without our women’s work,” Becky Robbie, director of advocacy for the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Al Jazeera.

The culture in Afghanistan is very conservative. “We can’t send men to talk to women and do them favors,” Ruby said.

“Many families across the country are female-headed, and they may lose access to humanitarian assistance altogether with these changes,” she said, adding that when it comes to principle, the ban is unacceptable.

“We cannot operate in a system that is so overt and unapologetic towards half the population.”

“I love everything about my job”

At least one Afghan organization is resisting the ban on its female employees.

Nusrat Khalid, founder of Aseel, an Afghan e-commerce platform now operating in the aid and development sector after the Taliban takeover, promised to continue working with its female employees and volunteers.

Aseel is not interested in the political aspects of the situation in Afghanistan. We are a purely humanitarian-run organization that relies on people, including women, to respond to a humanitarian crisis.”

Khaled said Aseel’s response to the ban was to launch a program that recruits more women into roles that focus heavily on technology.

“Not only will we continue to support female beneficiaries, but we will also launch remote work opportunities for women across Afghanistan. We will be launching 50 Afghan Women in Tech as our first Grand Challenge this week, as we will be hiring 50 more… As we increase our capacity, we will continue In qualifying women to work with us,” he said.

That hope now is that Aseel’s status as a company is likely to protect its non-profit and humanitarian activities.

For many female employees, management’s assurances have come as a relief.

“When I first heard the news of the ban, I felt helpless, and it was very difficult to hear,” said Medina Mateen, 24, who works as communications director for Asil in Kabul.

Mateen, who is also pursuing a graduate degree in business, said she has received tremendous support from her employer since the Taliban takeover and emerging restrictions.

“I remember when the first ban on girls’ schools was announced last year, the Aseel team gathered for a session for the female staff to keep their spirits high and to ensure that the situation did not affect us negatively. I also got a lot of flexibility in my work as things changed.”

Mateen said she could not bear the thought of not being allowed to work.

“I love everything about my job,” she told Al Jazeera.

“I have been working and contributing to the mission here despite all the limitations and labels placed on me as a woman. I go to bed every night very satisfied with the work I have done.” “Emotionally, however, there is always a tension in the unexpected future that I carry.”

Alia of the International Rescue Committee also lives in uncertainty.

Now glued to her mobile phone, she checks the news every few minutes, hoping to hear of a positive development for the workers. Perhaps a change of opinion among the Taliban leaders?

“There are long periods when we don’t have electricity and I feel very anxious,” she said.

“All I can do after that is pray that the next time I check my phone, our problems are resolved.”

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