Switzerland urges Taliban to reverse ban on women working with UN

GENEVA

Switzerland on Thursday urged Taliban to reverse its ban on women working with UN, saying it "hinders life-saving humanitarian work".

"Excluding women from work violates their #humanrights. Excluding women from working at UNAMA (UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) in Afghanistan hinders life-saving humanitarian work," the Foreign Ministry said.

"Switzerland urges the Taliban to reverse their decision and respect these rights," it added.

On Wednesday, the Taliban issued a countrywide ban on Afghan women working with the global body.

The action follows the ban on women working with NGOs, issued on Dec. 24, 2022, and the extensive list of earlier restrictions on women and girls imposed since the Taliban took power.