An order by the Taliban banning women from working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has been condemned by the United Nations and other international aid groups, with UN saying the move violated fundamental rights.

The Taliban government justified the move by saying female NGO staff had broken dress codes by not wearing hijabs.

Four international aid groups have halted their operations in Afghanistan following the decision.

Saturday's order came in a letter from the Ministry of Economy to both national and international NGOs. It threatened to cancel the licence of any organisation that did not swiftly comply.

The move has sparked international outrage, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying he was deeply concerned, adding that it "will disrupt vital and life-saving assistance to millions".

Women central to aid distribution
After the ban, the International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and CARE said they could no longer effectively reach people in need without the women amongst their ranks.

Afghan women could be left unable to receive aid directly, if organisations are only allowed to employ men. Taliban rules prevent men from working with women.

The NGOs had been providing healthcare, education, and nutrition services amid worsening humanitarian conditions.

The Norwegian Refugee Council alone employed 468 female staff in Afghanistan.

It was also described as a "clear breach of humanitarian principles" by a senior United Nations official.

UN agencies have a significant presence in the country, carrying out relief and development work. An urgent meeting of the Humanitarian Country Team was planned for Sunday to respond to the news.

The South Asian branch of Amnesty International described the ban as "yet another deplorable attempt to erase women from the political, social and economic spaces" of Afghanistan.

A ban on women attending Afghan universities earlier this week met similar criticism. It triggered protests - including in Herat on Saturday - which were rapidly suppressed by the Taliban.

Since seizing back control of the country last year, the group has steadily restricted women's rights - despite promising its rule would be softer than the regime seen in the 1990s.

As well as the ban on female university students - now being enforced by armed guards - secondary schools for girls remain closed in most provinces.

Women have also been prevented from entering parks and gyms, among other public places.
-BBC/VN