News Center - Since the Taliban’s return to power, the group has imposed strict restrictions on women across various aspects of life, particularly in education and employment, limiting their work opportunities and freedom of movement.

On Tuesday, November 4, United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners suspended all operations along the Afghanistan–Iran border after the Taliban tightened restrictions on Afghan women employees, preventing them from accessing the area to carry out their humanitarian duties.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan noted that the suspenions specifically affected the Islam Qala border crossing, where additional restrictions were imposed preventing local female staff of the UN and its partners from working in the area.

The official did not disclose details of the imposed restrictions but warned that they pose “immediate operational challenges and additional risks to returnees, especially women and girls,” referring to the potential humanitarian consequences of these measures.

He noted that more than 60% of Afghans returning from Iran through the Islam Qala crossing are women and children, stressing that “without female staff, it is impossible to assist returning women and children.” He added that talks are underway with the Taliban to reach a solution.

So far, the Taliban has issued no official statement regarding the new restrictions that have led to the suspension of humanitarian operations along the Iranian border, despite growing calls for clarification from humanitarian and international organizations.

In 2022, the Taliban in Kabul banned local and international NGOs from employing Afghan women. The ban was later expanded to include female UN employees, with only limited exceptions allowing women to work in certain sectors or perform their duties remotely.