Aid organisations in Afghanistan are struggling to keep women in work as Taliban restrictions force them to spend more on male guardians, transport and separate workplaces, a June 2026 survey has found.
Aid organisations in Afghanistan are struggling to keep women in work because Taliban restrictions require additional spending on male guardians, transport and separate workplaces, a June 2026 survey has found.
The survey covered 122 organisations across Afghanistan's 34 provinces, including 102 national non-governmental organisations (NGOs), 14 international NGOs and six United Nations agencies.
It was carried out by the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group and the Humanitarian Access Working Group. The Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group is not an NGO or government body. It is a humanitarian coordination forum involving UN agencies, NGOs and other aid organisations.
The conditions vary between provinces and sectors. However, 75% of responding organisations said they had accepted the conditions in order to continue employing women.
Some 61% said female staff needed a mahram, or male guardian, for work journeys they had previously made alone. A mahram is a male relative, such as a husband, father, brother or son.
Organisations are also providing separate workplaces and working hours, transport or travel payments, and financial support for guardians. Some must negotiate permission for women to enter offices or work in the field.
The survey found that 68% used separate workspaces, 65% supported transport or mahram costs, and 58% relied on field-only working arrangements. Some 46% said women could no longer report to offices where they had previously worked.
The report warned that funding cuts were making these arrangements harder to maintain.
“Funding shortages remain the greatest long-term obstacle to women’s participation in humanitarian work, while Taliban restrictions continue to limit women’s mobility, employment and humanitarian access.”
The survey found that 16% of female staff were working from home, with 81% of them employed by UN agencies. It also found that 54% of participating organisations had laid off Afghan staff following funding cuts.
The Taliban authorities have said women’s rights are protected under their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan culture.
U.S. President Donald Trump said there was an "all-day negotiation" on Tuesday with Iran, characterising the talks positively while also threatening t...
Iran says it is holding “positive” talks with Oman on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic, while an official source familiar with t...
Top Arab and Muslim foreign ministers agreed at a meeting in Amman on Wednesday to establish a mechanism to document alleged Israeli violations in Jer...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 5th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. President Donald Trump said there was an "all-day negotiation" on Tuesday with Iran, characterising the talks positively while also threatening to hit Iran "really hard" if a deal was not reached.
Tehran had made plans to strike sites in Ukraine after Kyiv attacked an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea, a senior Iranian military adviser has said. Iran refrained from taking action after Kyiv said the strike was a mistake, Mohsen Rezaei told the state IRIB TV channel.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 4th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. data analytics firm Palantir Technologies has reported a 93 per cent year-on-year jump in second-quarter revenue, even as the company faces continued criticism over its work with Israel's military and allegations linking its technology to the war in Gaza.a.
Iran says it is holding “positive” talks with Oman on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic, while an official source familiar with the negotiations has said an “agreement is within reach”.
Top Arab and Muslim foreign ministers agreed at a meeting in Amman on Wednesday to establish a mechanism to document alleged Israeli violations in Jerusalem, urging coordinated international action to protect the city's religious sites.
Pakistan has stepped up flood preparedness after the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that El Niño is expected to strengthen from August, increasing the risk of more extreme weather worldwide as monsoon rains continue across the country.
Afghanistan has launched a five-year national health strategy to strengthen healthcare services as the country faces severe funding shortages, rising humanitarian needs and mounting pressure on its health system.
At least 14 people have been killed and several others injured after lightning struck across the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, highlighting the dangers of the country's annual monsoon season.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment