How should the UN respond to the Taliban's prohibition on Afghan women working for the UN?

Apr 18, 2023 | Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
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In April 2023 the Taliban barred Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan. This decision extends the Taliban’s directive previously announced in December 2022, banning Afghan women from working for national and international non-governmental organizations. In response, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) protested, stating the UN could not comply with the ban.

How should the UN address this diplomatic standoff?

If UNAMA concedes, it is contrary to the UN Charter and UN norms on women and gender. If it reacts by pausing operations, millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance will be impacted. 

Panelists will assess the UN’s options and propose recommendations to UNAMA.