World Vision, one of the world's leading child-focused NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), has released a statement calling on the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to reverse their decision to ban Afghan women from working at NGOs. Whilst it remains unclear how it will impact World Vision Afghanistan's programming, a decision has been made to temporarily suspend operations to ascertain the impact on the organisation.
Asuntha Charles, National Director of World Vision Afghanistan, says:
"This decision is not in the interest of the people of Afghanistan. With the current humanitarian crisis gripping all of Afghanistan, we need more people working in NGOs to help alleviate the situation here, not less. This decision will only significantly worsen the reality here. Every individual, regardless of gender, should have the same opportunity to work for humanitarian aid and development organisations, or any industry.
"Whilst all Afghans will be detrimentally impacted by this, women and girls who benefit from gender and culturally sensitive NGO programming will be disproportionately affected by this decision. World Vision Afghanistan call on Afghanistan's de facto authorities to reconsider the scale of the damage this decision will have and reverse it immediately.
"World Vision Afghanistan will be temporarily suspending operations whilst we ascertain the scale of impact this will have on our ability to deliver our life-saving work, on which millions of Afghans depend."
