The European Union should provide humanitarian aid to Afghans, but only when it does not discriminate against women, EU foreign ministers decided on Monday 20 February in Brussels. Such a solution allows the EU to continue to support the Afghan people while showing its disagreement with the Taliban’s decision to ban women and girls from working for NGOs or studying (see EUROPE 13090/26, 13091/16). European basic aid for Afghanistan was put on hold in December.
“We don’t want to abandon Afghanistan. We don’t want to increase the suffering of the people, but we can't remain silent in front of the Taliban’s decision”, said the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
With this solution in place, the EU will provide assistance for the next 6 months, respecting the following principles proposed by the international donor community last week: basic aid should only be delivered in sectors and regions where women are allowed to work and benefit from aid. In addition, increased monitoring will be put in place to ensure that women are not excluded.
Since the Taliban’s decision affecting women, some exemptions have been negotiated in certain regions or sectors such as health or primary education. It is therefore these exceptions that the EU wishes to target for aid delivery.
“Take the example of an NGO where women cannot work. We can’t support this NGO. We must respect the principles. On the other hand, where this gender apartheid is not applied, then we can continue to provide aid, and this benefits everyone”, Mr Borrell said.
EU foreign ministers plan to adopt conclusions in March to further clarify their thinking on how to deal with Afghanistan. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)