At least four international organizations have suspended their operations in Afghanistan in the wake of the Islamic Emirate’s ban on female staff members from working in non-governmental organizations.

Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children, Care Organization and International Rescue Committee are those international organizations that have suspended their operations so far.

“We cannot effectively reach children, women, and men in desperate need in Afghanistan without our female staff,” said NRC.

Meanwhile, Save the Children said that beyond the impact on the delivery of lifesaving assistance, this will affect thousands of jobs in the midst of an enormous economic crisis.

“Whilst we gain clarity on this announcement, we are suspending our programmes, demanding that men and women can equally continue our lifesaving assistance in Afghanistan,” Save the Children said.

Care International Organization in Afghanistan expressed deep concern about the Islamic Emirate’s decision to ban women from working in NGOs. 

“Without women aid workers, NGOs may not be able to reach women, girls, & families, cutting access to aid for half of a population already suffering from a hunger crisis,” said the organization.

“For IRC our ability to deliver services rely on the female staff at all levels of our organization. If we are not allowed to employ women, we are not able to deliver to those in need. Therefore, the IRC is currently suspending our services in Afghanistan,” the International Rescue Committee in Afghanistan announced stopped their activities.

A number of organizations Islamic Relief, UNICEF, and MSF Afghanistan, announced that without their female staff they are not able to do work.

The Ministry of Economy in a statement on Saturday ordered all national and international non-government organizations to suspend their female staff members until the next announcement.

The announcement of the Islamic Emirate faced widespread reactions at national and international levels.