The representative of the United Nations Development Program, Stephen Rodriques, said that the bans on the female Afghan workers has affected UN operations in the country.

In an interview with TOLOnews, Rodriques said that the ban caused millions of dollars of  damage to the Afghan economy.

“In the last couple of years, the economy has contracted. After August 2021, we saw over 20 percent contraction,” Rodriques said.

Only 6 percent of women are working in Afghanistan, he said, adding that the UN is working with some countries and organizations to support the Afghan women entrepreneurs.

“We are with our partner, the embassy of Japan, IICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), as well as the EU because it is not just this initiative that we have launched,” he said. We have launched a program with the European Union, where we collectively support women, especially small entrepreneurs and small business owners, so that they can have a job.”

Rodriques voiced concerns over the inflicting of damage to more than 114,000 people in the recent earthquakes in Herat, estimating the tally to increase.

“Our aim is to focus on a few specific areas; one is permanent shelters. As I mentioned, the winter is coming, so it is urgent that we begin to rebuild homes within a month. Homes that are stronger, homes that can stand future earthquakes,” he said.

To address the challenges of the earthquake affected people in Herat, Rodriques said that the UN needs a budget of $93.6 million.