Ban on women working – How is Switzerland reacting to the Taliban’s decision? – News


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Aid organizations are not allowed to employ women in Afghanistan. This triggers protests worldwide.

Several aid organizations have announced that they will stop their work on the ground – even though Afghanistan is in one of the worst crises ever.

NGOs and western states react


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The umbrella organization of the non-governmental organizations active in Afghanistan, ACBAR, speaks of a “drastic measure” and has called on the Afghan Ministry of Economic Affairs to withdraw the written order.

Many of the 183 local and international affiliates have ended, suspended or reduced their humanitarian assistance, a statement said. The affiliates employed 55,249 people from Afghanistan. 28 percent – that’s around 15,500 – are women. Many of the staff employed supported women and girls and these activities would have to be carried out by staff from the NGOs.

Welthungerhilfe reports that the ban will have catastrophic effects on the entire aid program. The aid organization is suspending its work for the time being. The aid organizations Care, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), World Vision and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) had previously announced that they had stopped working on site.

It is still unclear whether and how important UN organizations such as the children’s aid organization Unicef ​​or the World Food Program (WFP) will react beyond their criticism of the Taliban decree.

The announcement about the NGO workers sparked concern around the world. Among others, the UN Secretary General, the EU Commission and the foreign ministers of the USA and Germany condemned the step. (sda)

Something is also happening in Switzerland: Ursula Läubli, head of the Central and North Asia section at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, says: The situation in Afghanistan had already deteriorated before, but the latest decision by the Taliban represents a massive escalation .

If women are no longer allowed to work in aid organizations, large parts of the Afghan population can no longer be reached.

“This threatens the emergency aid in Afghanistan, which the population so desperately needs right now in winter.” Specifically, this means: “If women are no longer allowed to work in aid organizations, large parts of the Afghan population can no longer be reached.”

What next?

The SDC currently has a team in Kabul, but no local staff itself. In 2021, Switzerland invested around CHF 30 million in projects in Afghanistan – partly via international aid organizations such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – partly also in cooperation with local partners. How this should continue is currently being evaluated, says Läubli.

On site is the Swiss Lucien Christen. The media spokesman for the ICRC speaks of a tense situation in the Afghan capital Kabul.

Legend:

A Taliban fighter stands guard in Kabul. Security measures have increased in the Afghan capital because of protests following new restrictions on women in public.

Keystone/AP/ Ebrahim Noroozi

There are more checkpoints in the streets and the ICRC colleagues are very worried. Because: The Taliban’s announcements would violate fundamental human rights and they could have catastrophic humanitarian consequences. The ICRC spokesman explains that more than half of the population in Afghanistan – around 24 million people – are dependent on humanitarian aid.

Important role of female helpers

The ICRC supports many hospitals in Afghanistan and, among other things, pays the wages of around 10,000 people in the healthcare sector. A third of them are women, mostly Afghans. If they are no longer allowed to work, the entire health system is at risk. In addition, around 400 women work directly for the ICRC, Lucien Christen continues.

This situation is very, very difficult for our Afghan employees. Because they are very committed to their work.

Anna Bertschy, spokeswoman for Terre des Hommes, also reports great concern – the Swiss children’s charity employs 167 Afghan women – who mainly work as midwives. For the employees, this decision means that they have to stay at home. “They can no longer take care of Afghan women in need. For them, this situation is very, very difficult. Because they are very committed to their work.” According to Bertschy, those affected also have very personal fears.

Pressure also in the UN Security Council

Nevertheless, the ICRC and Terre des Hommes emphasize that they want to stay in Afghanistan and continue their work as far as possible. Läubli from the Deza says that the negotiations with the Taliban should also continue together with the umbrella organization of non-governmental organizations and the international community.

Switzerland will also work emphatically to protect the civilian population in the UN Security Council. In this context, she will of course also address the situation in Afghanistan.

And: “Switzerland will also work hard to protect the civilian population in the UN Security Council. In this context, she will of course also address the situation in Afghanistan.” Switzerland has been a member of this body since January 1st.

So you want to build up international pressure in order to persuade the Taliban to give in.

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