UN warns restrictions on Afghan women are hindering aid delivery

The United Nations has warned that ongoing restrictions on Afghan women working with the UN continue to undermine the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance across the country.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that 100 days after Afghan women staff were barred from accessing UN premises, the measures remain in place and are significantly obstructing aid operations.

In a statement, the office called on the authorities to immediately lift all such restrictions.

“Marking 100 days since Afghan women colleagues were prohibited from accessing UN premises, we call on the de facto authorities to lift all such restrictions so that critical support can reach everyone in need,” the statement said.

The UN stressed that systematic discrimination against women and girls is not in Afghanistan’s interest and must end without delay.

It warned that excluding women from humanitarian work has weakened the reach and effectiveness of aid delivery, particularly in communities where female staff are essential to accessing women, children and other vulnerable groups.

According to the UN, the absence of women humanitarian workers has reduced the ability of aid agencies to assess needs, deliver assistance and monitor programs effectively, at a time when millions of Afghans depend on humanitarian support.

Reiterating its position, the United Nations emphasized that the full participation of women in humanitarian activities is critical to addressing the country’s urgent needs and ensuring aid reaches all segments of the population.

The UN has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to reverse policies restricting women’s participation in public life, warning that continued limitations risk deepening the humanitarian crisis and isolating Afghanistan further from the international community.