KABUL (SW) – Ambiguities remain around the de-facto government’s stated public policy and actual actions regarding the female public sectors workers’ rights and salaries.
Since the establishment of the current government in Afghanistan, female employees in public offices have remained at home until further notice. The de-facto government officials have repeatedly said that these women are not dismissed, however, they have settled at home and receive regular income for the time being.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the de-facto government, has reiterated multiple times in the first year of the government’s operations, saying, “No woman has been dismissed from any office, they are not absent, and their salaries are being paid while they are remaining at homes.”
Contrary to the statements made by the de-facto government officials, Salam Watandar’s findings, based on interviews with 18 female public employees, reveal that 15 were working officially in governmental offices, while the remaining three were on a contract basis and were dissmissed from job with the change of the regime.
According to Salam Watandar’s findings, among these women, four are former official employees of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, and three are former official employees of the General Prosecutor’s Office. Two of them are former official employees of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, two are former official employees of the Presidential Administrative Affairs Office, two more are former official employees of the military university and two former official employees from the Ministry of Finance and Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy. Additionally, one contract employee from the Ministry of Justice, one from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and another from the Attorney General’s Office have been dismissed from their positions following the recent political changes in Afghanistan.
Breshna Niazi, former official employee and prosecutor in the General Prosecutor’s Office, who was dismissed from her position following the political changes in the country, states, “The Islamic Emirate not only prevents us from resuming our previous duties but also prohibits us from working in other sectors. Now, we are all in a state of destitution, confined to our homes. Our living conditions are deteriorating day by day, and many of us, who were the sole breadwinners, are now in confusion, wandering in search of a piece of bread.”
Tahmina Qayumi, former official employee in the Presidential Affairs Department, who was also dismissed from her position, shares, “I worked officially for 10 years in various departments of the Presidential Affairs Department, handling tasks like correspondence, special document archives, and guidance analysis. My female colleagues and I have been unjustly placed on the dismissal list without any clear reason.”
Among the interviewed women, 14 expressed facing substantial economic challenges after being dismissed and losing their monthly income. Notably, eight of these women, including two widows, serve as the sole breadwinners for their families.
Pari Rasuli, an employee dismissed from the Ministry of Finance, says: “My life situation is dire, to the point that it is difficult to articulate. I was the sole breadwinner for my family, supporting old parents, a widowed sister with an orphan, and a disabled sister. I bear responsibility for all of them.”
Gisu Giti, a dismissed employee of the Ministry of Interior, shares a similar fate, saying that the economic challenges are overwhelming for her. Gisu has a sick mother in poor health and a weak condition, a disabled brother; she adds that she is the primary breadwinner for her family.
None of the women who were interviewed in this report currently hold a formal job or receive regular income. 17 of these women have become completely unemployed, while one has started working in people’s houses.
Humaira, a widow who formerly held a formal position at the Department of Public Relations at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, has been unemployed for a year. Presently, she has resorted to working in people’s houses, explaining that she takes on daily household tasks in other people’s homes to earn a modest income, striving to prevent her children from facing starvation.
On the other hand, six of the interviewee women report that the government owes them several months of salary.
On the other hand, six of the interviewee women report that the government owes them several months of salary. Among the former female employees in public sector, one from the Attorney General’s Office, two from the Military University, one from the Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy, one from the Ministry of Interior, and another from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, state that their salaries have not been paid, and these departments owe them salary.
Khatema and Shukriya Ataie, former official employees at Millitary University and the Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy, say that despite being dismissed for more than two years, the government has not paid their several months salary.
We attempted to obtain answers from officials of the de-facto government in this matter, but some of them declined to provide responses.
However, spokespersons from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and Ministry of Commerce and Industry have informed Salam Watandar that, due to the reduction of projects, financial challenges, and issues related to the work capacity of employees, a number of the official and contractual employees have been dismissed.
Samiullah Ebrahimi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, clarifies that “No one has been dismissed due to the policies of the Islamic Emirate, as the government also does not permit.” According to him, the recruitment has been carried out based on individuals’ capacity and skills, “and those found unsuitable or lacking the ability to work have been dismissed.”
Akhundzada Abdul-Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, also says, “For those involved in projects, it is a well-known that when projects conclude, their employment naturally concludes as well. It is not feasible for us to retain them when there is no ongoing project, as we cannot provide them with sustenance in the absence of project-related work.”
Bismillah Habib, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Affairs in, refrains from commenting on the dismissal of female employees in this ministry. However, he highlights the crucial importance of having women within the ranks of the police force, as an urgent necessity.
“Considering the Islamic society in Afghanistan, there is an urgent need for the presence of women in the ranks of the police. Currently, there are 2,000 women actively engaged in their duties within the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the police forces. Considering the necessity of work, if there is a need for more women in the government offices, services, and the ranks of the police, they will be recruited,” he said.
A number of economic experts assert that the decline in the presence of women across various work sectors has not only negative repercussions on family economies but will also have irreparable consequences on the overall economy of the country.
Shaker Yaqubi, an expert on economic issues, remarks, ” Unfortunately, the severity of unemployment among these women and the challenges faced by families headed by them have reached a point where it can potentially have adverse effects on the national economy. The indispensable role of women in bolstering family, community, and ultimately, the country’s economy, cannot be overstated.”
Women’s rights activists emphasize the critical importance of women’s presence in society and urge the caretaker government to offer work and employment opportunities to women. They argue that such initiatives are essential for the improvement and progress of society as a whole.
