UK Special Envoy Condemns Ban on Afghan Women Entering UN Offices
Britain’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, has condemned restrictions barring Afghan women from entering United Nations offices and compounds.
Lindsay stated that the United Kingdom stands with UN experts in rejecting the restrictions and that women’s rights must be respected. The ban has been in effect since September 2025, preventing Afghan women, including female UN employees, from accessing UN premises.
UN experts have warned that the measure undermines human rights and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. Lindsay highlighted that it disrupts UN aid delivery, field access, and emergency support.
The restrictions form part of broader Taliban policies on women and girls imposed since 2021, including bans on education, work, and movement. These measures have excluded half the population from public life.
Lindsay’s criticism adds to international pressure on the Taliban over the limitations on women.
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