Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
With deep shock, the European Union learned on April 4 that the Taliban had decided to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations and its agencies, funds and programmes. This decision follows many previous bans and decrees targeting Afghan women and girls, reinforcing and intensifying the Taliban leadership's continued denial of women's rights, including their right to secondary and higher education, work and freedom of movement.According to a European statement issued in Brussels on behalf of European Coordinator for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell, the statement also stated, "This new discriminatory Taliban decision exacerbates the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and constitutes a violation of international human rights law (including treaties to which Afghanistan is a party), international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles. This lays down The decision puts women in an increasingly vulnerable position and has direct and life-threatening repercussions, as preventing women from working disrupts the delivery of humanitarian assistance and basic needs and services to large parts of the entire Afghan population, including women, children and men.This is happening as Afghanistan continues to face one of The worst economic and humanitarian crisis in the world, with more than 28 million or two-thirds of the population in need of humanitarian assistance and millions of Afghans already on the verge of famine.

"The European Union joins the United Nations, and strongly supports its efforts, along with other international partners and the many Afghans who condemn these decisions, and call on the Taliban to immediately reverse this ban and ensure women and girls equal access to education and all social services," the statement added. ., economic and general spheres of life.
The European Union reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its engagement and assistance for the benefit of the Afghan people, within a principled approach. We urge the Taliban to allow women to participate equally and meaningfully in the provision of aid and services, so that women can participate fully and effectively in society, as well as remain beneficiaries of aid. Female employees should not be replaced. As stated by the European Union in the conclusions of the Council of March 20, 2023, where activities cannot be continued in line with the principled approach of the European Union, i.e. providing assistance in a non-discriminatory manner, regardless of gender, support for these activities will be reconsidered.
The statement concluded by saying, "The European Union calls on the Taliban to fulfill their promises and prove their ability to respect and protect human rights and provide basic services to all residents of Afghanistan, in line with their previous statements and promises."