The Taliban has banned Afghan women from working for both national and foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), threatening to revoke licenses of any NGOs that do not comply.

This new directive, issued by the Ministry of Economy on December 30, follows earlier restrictions on women’s employment and public participation.

The United Nations has warned that the ban will severely hinder humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, where millions face poverty and food insecurity. U.N. spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez called the decision deeply concerning, stating it would harm efforts to provide critical support to Afghan communities.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, women have been banned from education beyond sixth grade, most jobs, and public spaces.

Over the weekend, the Taliban also decreed that buildings must block views of areas where women might be seen, such as courtyards or kitchens, further limiting their visibility in public life.

The United Nations and other organizations have condemned these actions as part of a broader effort to erase women from public and professional life. Despite calls to reverse the policies, the Taliban continues to enforce strict measures, citing their interpretation of Islamic law.