The United Nations announced today in a statement that it is reviewing its “operational presence” in Afghanistan after the Taliban barred its women staff from working at the agency. The UN unequivocally condemns the decision, calling it “unacceptable” …
Category Archives: Afghanistan
Taliban Arrests Prominent Education Activist
This week the new academic year began in Afghanistan, and girls were once again denied their fundamental right to education. Schools only reopened for boys. The Taliban also arrested a long-time respected education activist for all kids across Afghanis…
Afghan women demand that the world listens to them and does not forget them.
As people worldwide reflect on the achievements of women this International Women’s Day, millions of Afghan women and girls are mourning the loss of their basic human rights and freedoms. They call on the world to listen to them and give them a central…
Taliban Bans the Selling of Contraceptives in Afghanistan
In the latest attack on women, the Taliban has ordered pharmacies in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif to stop selling any form of contraceptives. The Taliban has called family planning and the use of contraception “Western” and “forbidden” in their interpretat…
Doctors of the World suspends activities in Afghanistan and calls for the lifting of the ban on women aid workers
On December 24, Doctors of the World and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Afghanistan received a letter from the authorities stating that women were no longer permitted to work for national and international NGOs within the country. At Doctors of the World, we strongly condemn this decision and have decided to suspend our activities in Afghanistan.
As Afghanistan faces economic collapse and a severe humanitarian crisis, NGOs play an essential role in saving lives and bringing aid to the population. Banning women from working will only have a dramatic and devastating impact on the lives of millions of vulnerable women, men and children in the country.
By prohibiting women from working in NGOs, a red line has been crossed. Doctors of the World is taking the difficult decision to suspend its activities because an effective humanitarian response in line with humanitarian principles cannot be achieved without women. This choice has also been made by several NGOs in the country since the announcement on December 24.
DotW calls for the lifting of the ban on women aid workers so that we may resume our activities in the country. This decision made by the authorities comes just a few days after restrictions were placed on Afghan girls’ access to education. Doctors of the World has been present in this country for 30 years, from 1982 to 2012. In 2021, DotW decided to return and implement new humanitarian programs in the country. Until this month, Doctors of the World was supporting a district hospital in Kabul as well as working to address mother and child health needs. So far, 150,000 people have benefited from the medical services offered by this hospital. It is vital that the country lifts its ban on women aid workers so that they may return to provide much needed care to the country’s population.
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Supporting Afghans Seeking Safety in Scotland
We’re working closely with partners across Scotland to support people seeking refugee protection following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
With funding from The National Lottery, we launched an Afghan Citizens Information Service to he…
Increased Attacks against Hazaras in Afghanistan; Mostly Girls and Women Killed andWounded
Since the Taliban takeover, Human Rights Watch has documented 16 attacks against Hazaras that have killed and wounded at least 700 people. The September 30th attack on an educational center in a predominantly Hazara neighborhood of Kabul killed 53 and …
Stewarding God’s Grace: Q&A with Andrea Sheldon Tshihamba
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 When Andrea first arrived in Durham with her husband four years ago, she left behind a career as an ESL teacher. Burnt out and looking to apply her…
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Taliban Reverses Pledge and Keeps Girls Schools Closed
Despite much anticipation, the Taliban regime announced today that girls’ schools from grades 7-12 would remain closed until they have a plan. The Taliban statement read that “we inform all girls’ high schools and those schools with female …
Women Protest in Kabul for Food, Work and Equality
Dozens of brave Afghan women in Kabul staged a rally against the spread of poverty today calling for food, work, equality and full participation in all social, economic, and political spheres. The women marched through Kabul holding banners that demand…