UN 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," UN 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.
