UN suspends some Afghanistan programs after ban on female aid workers

Many humanitarian activities paused' as Taliban decision to bar women NGO workers prevents vital services across the country

The United Nations said that some time-critical" programs in Afghanistan have temporarily stopped and warned many other activities will also likely need to be paused because of a ban by the Taliban-led administration on women aid workers.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths, the heads of UN agencies and several aid groups said in a joint statement on Wednesday that women's participation in aid delivery is not negotiable and must continue", calling on authorities to reverse the decision.