THE UNITED NATIONS said today it is reviewing its presence in Afghanistan after the Taliban government barred Afghan women from working for the world body.

Last week, the Islamist regime further tightened the restrictions it has imposed on women, saying that Afghan women employed by the UN mission in the country could no longer report for duty. The government made no further comment on the ban.

The UN said that it did not accept the decision, branding it an unparalleled violation of women’s rights.

Sweeping curbs on women’s freedom were imposed by the Taliban after the movement seized power in August 2021 as US and Nato occupation forces withdrew from Afghanistan following 20 years of war.

The Taliban has banned girls from going to school beyond year seven and excluded women from most public life and work. 

In December, the regime banned Afghan women from working for local and non-governmental groups, but the measure did not at the time extend to UN offices.

Today’s UN statement said that head-of-mission Roza Otunbayeva had “initiated an operational review period” that would last until May 5.

The UN will “conduct the necessary consultations, make required operational adjustments and accelerate contingency planning for all possible outcomes,” the statement added.

It also accused the Taliban of trying to force the UN mission to make an “appalling choice” between helping Afghans and standing by the norms and principles it is duty-bound to uphold.

“It should be clear that any negative consequences of this crisis for the Afghan people will be the responsibility of the de facto authorities,” it warned.

The UN added that the measure was an extension of the already unacceptable restrictions that deliberately discriminate against women and undermine the ability of Afghans to access lifesaving and sustaining assistance and services.