UN chief condemns Taliban ban on Afghan women working for UN

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday strongly condemned a decision by Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations and called for the decision to be immediately revoked, his spokesperson said in a statement.

“This is a violation of the inalienable fundamental human rights of women,” U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

“Female staff members are essential for the United Nations operations, including in the delivery of life-saving assistance. The enforcement of this decision will harm the Afghan people, millions of whom are in need of this assistance,” he said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Tim Ahmann)

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