UN calls for continued aid to Afghanistan

Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has warned Germany and the other EU countries against stopping humanitarian aid deliveries because of the Taliban’s misogynistic policies in Afghanistan. It is true that governments have to explain to taxpayers why they give money to a country that discriminates against women, said Mohammed in Brussels. But the unpleasant truth is that women and children in Afghanistan would die without help from abroad.

“There are temperatures of minus 30 degrees,” said the Deputy Secretary General. “And there are people who don’t know where they’re going to get their next meal.” The aim of the international community must be to use pressure in other areas to persuade the militant Islamist Taliban to withdraw discriminatory decisions against women or at least to make more exceptions.

Aid organizations need women

As an example, she cited the far-reaching employment and training bans for women, which also include work for aid organizations. The head of Caritas International, Oliver Müller, said that the ban on women’s work would massively affect the work of his and other aid organizations.

“Without women, we cannot reach the majority of those in need, women and children.” In addition, it is not possible to check whether the aid is getting where it is needed. “If we can’t verify the work, we’re reaching our limits.” This puts organizations in a dilemma. “Because we actually want to help under all conditions.”

According to Müller, Caritas can currently continue three projects because they are considered medical aid. However, the Catholic organization had to suspend seven other projects due to the ban. The employees would continue to be paid. But this could not go on indefinitely and the women also wanted to work.

According to a survey published by UN Women, eight out of ten national and international aid organizations can only carry out their activities to a limited extent or have to stop them altogether.

EU discusses development aid

The EU is currently discussing whether further development aid can be provided. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced a tough German position at an EU meeting on Monday. “If women can no longer work for international organizations, then the help will no longer arrive. And we as the international community cannot become the Taliban’s henchman with regard to the ban on women working,” said the Green politician.

“That means: Where women are no longer allowed to work, German relief supplies can no longer arrive either.” The Taliban are taking the entire Afghan population “hostage”.

Taliban against women’s rights

The Taliban are internationally criticized primarily for their massive curtailment of women’s rights. Schools for girls from the seventh grade on are closed in large parts of the country. University attendance has also been taboo for women since December. In November, parks and gyms had to close their doors to women. At the end of December, women were banned from working for non-governmental organizations. The reason given was that they were not following the dress code. So far, only medical help has been exempt from the restrictions.

According to the United Nations, around two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population, or more than 28 million people, depend on aid to survive.

mak/as (dpa, epd)