After a month-long assessment, the United Nations has announced that it will continue its operation in Afghanistan without the presence of female staff, prompting criticisms from US officials.
Some members of the US House of Representatives have criticized the UN’s position to continue operating in Afghanistan without its female staff. They called the continuation of humanitarian aid only for men, a serious punishment for Afghan women and girls, who have been completely erased from public life.
Members of the US House of Representatives, including Michael McCaul, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of this House, have said in a letter to Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, that the organizations should not come along with the ban on women’s work in Afghanistan and emphasized that a “decisive” answer should be given.
It is also stated that the UN should continue supporting Afghan women and girls instead of compromising with the gender-based restrictions, which bares women to work for international aid organizations in Afghanistan.
The members of the US House of Representatives have emphasized that the UN should oppose the idea of operating in Afghanistan without its female employees, and should avoid implementing humanitarian aid programs that solely benefit men.
Furthermore, it is stated that restrictions violate the basic rights of Afghan women and girls and endanger humanitarian efforts throughout Afghanistan. “The United Nations’ response to these restrictions are in contrary to the UN Charter, and will have an impact on the credibility of this organization,” the letter stated.
