“A RED LINE HAS BEEN CROSSED.”
While Afghanistan faces economic collapse and a severe humanitarian crisis, NGOs play a vital role in saving lives and providing assistance to populations. Banning women from working will only lead to a dramatic and devastating consequence for the lives of millions of vulnerable women, men, and children in the country.
By banning women from working in NGOs, a red line has been crossed. Médecins du Monde (MdM) has made the difficult decision to suspend its activities because an effective humanitarian response in line with humanitarian principles cannot be achieved without women.
A choice also made by several NGOs in the country since the announcement on December 24.
Learn more about our activities in Afghanistan:
MdM calls for the lifting of the ban on women working for NGOs so that it can resume its activities in the country. This decision by the authorities comes just days after increased restrictions on Afghan girls’ access to education.
Afghanistan is a historic mission for Médecins du Monde. After being present in the country for 30 years, from 1982 to 2012, MdM decided to return at the end of 2021. Currently, MdM supports a district hospital in Kabul through the physical rehabilitation of the facility and maternal and child health support. 150,000 people benefit from the medical services provided by this hospital.
FOR MEDIA REQUESTS, PLEASE CONTACT MÉLISSA CABANA, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MOBILIZATION
Mobile: 514-799-8985
melissa.cabana@medecinsdumonde.ca
Source: Médecins du Monde France