Archive · 8 Dec 2025
UN Calls on Taliban to Lift Ban on Afghan Women in Offices
The United Nations is asking the Taliban to let Afghan women work in their offices again.
Since the Taliban took control in 2021, women in Afghanistan have not been allowed to do many jobs or go to school.
In September, the Taliban also stopped women from working in UN offices.
The UN says this is wrong and that these women are very important for helping other women and girls.
The Taliban hasn't said anything about this yet.
The UN is worried that without these women, they can't help as many people, especially after earthquakes and when women are sent back from other countries.
The UN calls on the Taliban to reverse the ban on Afghan women staff and contractors from entering UN offices.
The ban violates UN principles of human rights and equality, according to Susan Ferguson, the special representative of UN Women in Afghanistan.
The ban has been in place since September 2023, affecting several hundred women who have been working remotely.
The UN states that the presence of these women is indispensable for reaching and assisting women and girls safely and appropriately.
The Taliban has not responded to requests for comment on the ban.
- Who
- Afghan women staff and contractors working with the UN
- What
- Ban on Afghan women entering UN offices
- When
- Ban started in September 2023
- Where
- Afghanistan
- Why
- Taliban-imposed restrictions on women's employment and access
- Organization
- United Nations
- Restriction Start
- September 2023
- Affected Group
- Afghan women staff and contractors
- UN Representative
- Susan Ferguson
- UN Agency
- UN Women
- Impacted Services
- Life-saving services for women and girls
- Taliban Response
- No immediate comment
