The Taliban governor’s office in Nangarhar has warned aid organisations not to photograph women or take actions that could provoke public “sensitivities” while assisting earthquake survivors.
In a statement issued Saturday, the office urged aid groups to fully respect “Afghan and Islamic values” during relief work. “It is strongly advised that during aid distribution to earthquake victims, taking photos of women should be strictly avoided,” the statement said.
The office did not define “sensitivities,” but restrictions enforced by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have made it nearly impossible for male aid workers to assist women. Under Taliban rules, men cannot provide help to women who are not relatives or even speak to them.
Because of the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s employment, few female aid workers have been able to reach Kunar and Nangarhar to provide assistance.
Local sources in Kunar told Afghanistan International that at least six pregnant women have died in hospitals since the earthquake because of a lack of female medical staff and inadequate facilities.
Despite broad pledges of support, basic aid particularly medical assistance has yet to reach many affected areas, leaving residents struggling, the sources said.
Residents said Taliban restrictions have led to men being prioritised in rescue and treatment efforts, while women often had less opportunity to seek care.
“There are very few female medical teams, and many women died because unrelated men were not allowed to pull them from under the rubble,” a health official in Kunar said. “By the third day, some families were forced to send women with midwifery training into quake-hit areas.”
A representative of the UN Development Programme in Afghanistan warned that Taliban restrictions on women’s work have slowed recovery efforts after the earthquake.
