The United Nations has extended the suspension of female employees in its offices in Afghanistan until May 5, 2023. Following a verbal order issued by the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week, the UN, with the exception of some male employees of UNAMA, instructed all staff to work from home for 48 hours. A source within the United Nations told Afghanistan International that starting Sunday, April 9, 2023 (20th of Hamal), after the 48-hour grace period and the weekly holiday ended, UN officials decided to extend this deadline for another 26 days, until May 5 (15th of Sawr). (Source: Afghanistan International)

In response to the Taliban’s verbal order barring Afghan women from working with the United Nations, the UN has extended the suspension of female staff until May 5, 2023. While framed as a temporary measure, this extension reinforces the exclusion of Afghan women from international humanitarian and development work, setting a dangerous precedent of compliance with gender-based discrimination.

This development highlights the Taliban’s ongoing campaign to eliminate women from the workforce and public life, violating fundamental rights to work and livelihoods, gender equality, and non-discrimination. The exclusion of women from UN roles also undermines participation in public life, particularly in decision-making and service delivery that affect Afghan communities.