The European Union said that the ban on women working for UN organizations violates international law and that if aid to Afghanistan cannot be delivered regardless of gender, aid activities will be reconsidered.
According to the EU press release, the EU reaffirms its commitment to staying engaged and delivering assistance for the benefit of the Afghan population, within a principled approach.
“We urge the Taliban to allow women to equally and meaningfully participate in aid and services delivery, so that women can engage fully and actively in the society, as well as remain beneficiaries of aid. Female staff must not be replaced. As the EU stated in the Council Conclusions of 20 March 2023, where activities cannot be continued in line with the EU’s principled approach, i.e. providing aid in a non-discriminatory way, regardless of gender, support to those activities will be reconsidered,” the press release reads.
"Not just UN offices, but to the other offices of the government, rights must be ensured for Afghan women employees, to allow Afghan women to return to their jobs," said Maryam Marouf Arwin, an activist for women's rights.
In the meantime, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said in a press release that the decision of the current Afghan government will only reduce services and support for all Afghans.
“I am deeply alarmed and strongly condemn this continued assault on women’s human rights, which will only have the effect of reducing services and support for all Afghans. Alongside the international community, the United States calls on the Taliban to reverse this reprehensible decision immediately,” USAID press release reads.
The Ministry of Economy said that continued assistance should not be linked to political or cultural issues.
“The people of Afghanistan need the assistance of the international community, and helping the people of Afghanistan is a responsibility and international community. So, aid should not be linked to political and cultural issues,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy of the Ministry of Economy.
Analysts said that the ban on female Afghan UN employees will be detrimental for the nation's economic stability.
“Cutting off aid will certainly intensify the humanitarian crisis, the economic catastrophe, and increase the humanitarian crisis,” said Shakir Yaqobi, an economist.
"Preventing the activity of women in various international organizations, especially the UN, will ... create challenges for this government,” said Maisam Kazemi, a political analyst.
The United Nations said that 3,300 male and female employees of the organization have stayed at home since women were banned from working at UN agencies.