The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has initiated an operational review period up to 5 May 2023 over the decision by the Taliban de facto authorities to ban Afghan women from working for the UN in Afghanistan.
UN Representative of Secretary-General for Afghanistan and head of Mission, Ms. Roza Otunbayeva who made this known on Tuesday while giving update on the situation, said Personnel instructed not to report to UN offices, with only limited and calibrated exceptions made for critical tasks.
He stated further that during the operational review period, the UN in Afghanistan will conduct necessary consultations, make required operational adjustments, and accelerate contingency planning for all possible outcomes.
Adding that the United Nations will maintain principled and constructive engagement with all possible levels of the Taliban de facto authorities, as mandated by the United Nations Security Council.
Otunbayeva said, “The UN will endeavour to continue lifesaving, time-critical humanitarian activities in line with the humanitarian principles
“And criteria outlined by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee in January 2022, during which we will assess the scope, parameters and consequences of the ban, and pause activities where impeded. The matter will be under constant review”.
He said the United Nations in Afghanistan reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of a decision by the Taliban de facto authorities to ban Afghan women from working for the UN in Afghanistan.
“It is the latest in a series of discriminatory measures implemented by the Taliban de facto authorities with the goal of severely restricting women and girls’ participation in most areas of public and daily life in Afghanistan.
“The ban is unlawful under international law, including the UN Charter, and for that reason the United Nations cannot comply.
Through this ban, the Taliban de facto authorities seek to force the United Nations into having to make an appalling choice between staying and delivering in support of the Afghan people and standing by the norms and principles we are duty-bound to uphold.
“It should be clear that any negative consequences of this crisis for the Afghan people will be the responsibility of the de facto authorities”, UN head of Mission said.
Since August 2021, the United Nations has strived to stay and deliver to ease the unprecedented suffering of the Afghan people. UN work in Afghanistan is driven by the humanitarian imperative to save lives and guided by principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
The ban, which is an extension of the already unacceptable restrictions placed in December 2022 on NGO partners at the frontline of aid delivery, deliberately discriminates against women and challenges the ability of the people of Afghanistan to continue accessing lifesaving and sustaining assistance and services.
United Nations engagement in Afghanistan, conducted extensively and in good faith, is anchored in the founding vision of the UN, that of peace, stability, and human rights for all peoples, and in accordance with the United Nations Charter.