UN Agencies Face Major Challenges as Afghanistan Imposes New Restrictions on Female Staff
Kabul, Afghanistan – September 11, 2025 – The United Nations has expressed deep concern following the imposition of new restrictions by Afghan authorities on Afghan women working for UN agencies, a move that threatens to severely disrupt vital humanitarian aid efforts across the country. The directive, which came into effect recently, prohibits Afghan female nationals from carrying out their duties for the UN, impacting a broad spectrum of crucial programs.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and various UN agencies operating on the ground have highlighted the profound implications of this decision. These restrictions directly hinder the ability of the UN to reach vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, who often rely on female aid workers for essential services and support. Many of these programs, ranging from healthcare and education to food security and protection, are designed with the explicit aim of empowering women and ensuring their access to vital assistance in a country where they face significant societal barriers.
“The health, safety, and well-being of our female Afghan colleagues are of paramount importance,” stated a UN spokesperson. “These restrictions not only violate fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination but also directly impede our operational capacity to deliver life-saving assistance to millions of Afghans who depend on our support. Women are integral to our work, and their participation is not only a matter of principle but a practical necessity for effective program delivery.”
The UN has consistently advocated for the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of public and private life. The current restrictions are seen as a significant setback to these efforts and raise serious questions about the UN’s ability to effectively implement its mandate in Afghanistan, which includes providing humanitarian aid and supporting the country’s long-term development.
Aid organizations, including those not directly affiliated with the UN but working in close partnership, are also voicing their concerns. The exclusion of female national staff means that many crucial outreach efforts, particularly those requiring engagement with women in conservative communities, will become significantly more challenging, if not impossible. This could lead to a decline in the reach and effectiveness of aid programs, potentially exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis.
The UN is engaged in ongoing dialogue with the Afghan authorities, urging them to reconsider these restrictions and to allow all national staff, regardless of gender, to perform their duties without impediment. The international community is closely observing the situation, with many expressing solidarity with the UN and emphasizing the critical role of women in Afghanistan’s recovery and future. The continued operation of humanitarian programs is paramount, and the UN is exploring all possible avenues to mitigate the impact of these new directives while upholding the rights and dignity of its staff and the beneficiaries it serves.
Afghanistan: New restrictions on women nationals working for UN, put aid efforts at risk
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