Freedom Now, a Washington-based human rights organization said, that concerns are growing about the United Nations’ policy to engage with the Taliban-run administration despite the ban on its Afghan female employees.
Freedom Now has called on the United Nations instead of accepting the Taliban’s gender-based policies, the organization should defend the rights of its employees, who have been barred from working for the international organization.
The organization has said the UN’s continued operation under the Taliban administration, which has restricted female staff from working with the world body “violates the principle of gender equality in the UN Charter”.
Despite the ban on women’s employment, the UN has to continue its operation in Afghanistan to deliver life-saving aid to the millions of people who are in dire need of humanitarian aid. Furthermore, prolonged drought, economic crisis and hunger have put the lives of millions of people in grave danger, the UN said.
According to a senior UN official, currently, its employees are advised to remain at home and receive salaries. The United Nations has not yet announced its decision regarding the fate of these employees.
Freedom Now is a Washington-based human rights organization that protects individuals and communities from government repression and defends human rights through direct legal support, targeted high-leverage advocacy, and capacity-building analysis and assistance.
