According to Stefan Recker, Caritas could overcome the Taliban’s ban on employing women in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the medium term. For example, it is conceivable that NGOs will commit themselves to compliance with Islamic dress codes and strict separation of women and men. Caritas is involved in the health sector in Afghanistan, among other things.
Further work is currently possible in this area. “Three Caritas projects for leprosy relief, for the adaptation of prostheses and for maternal and child health are running here – with the doctors employed there by partner organizations,” says Stefan Recker. He heads the office of Caritas International in Kabul, which coordinates the various national projects. The organization has been active in Afghanistan since 1984, one of the poorest countries in the world. Usually Afghan employees work on location.
Healthcare is collapsing without female doctors
The ban issued by the Taliban on Christmas Eve only applies to women in NGOs, not to state actors and the United Nations. Stefan Recker spoke of a “dramatic situation” for women in Afghanistan. “The goal of the Taliban is to make women disappear from the public eye. Maybe things will change one day when the last Taliban realizes that health care will collapse without doctors and nurses.”
As reported, the powers that be have recently banned women from studying. In addition, they are only allowed to attend school up to and including seventh grade. In many areas there is already a work ban, women are only allowed to go to the streets with a male supervisor. According to Recker, they should expect appropriate controls at all times. Heavily armed military units stand in front of the universities to prevent protests.
Perhaps the ban on employing women in NGOs could at least be lifted in the medium term. “A bridge could be for the NGOs to formally commit to adherence to Islamic dress codes and the strict separation of women and men,” says Recker, who has worked in Afghanistan since the 1990s.
According to the UN, an estimated 40 million people live in Afghanistan, half of whom are at risk of starvation. About three million children under the age of five are malnourished.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
