The Taliban government in Afghanistan ordered all domestic and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Saturday to suspend the employment of women to keep female employees out of the job, according to an economy ministry letter, as part of the latest crackdown on women’s freedoms.
The letter, confirmed by Economy Ministry spokesman Abdul Rahman Habib, said female employees were not allowed to work until further notice because some of them did not adhere to the administration’s dress code for women.
The letter also stated that any NGO that did not comply with the order would have its license to operate in Afghanistan revoked.
It was not immediately clear whether this order applied to United Nations agencies with a strong presence in Afghanistan.
It comes days after the Taliban-controlled administration ordered the closure of universities for women, prompting strong global condemnation and sparking protests and harsh criticism in Afghanistan.
