KABUL — The Biden administration discreetly allocated $15 million in U.S. taxpayer money to fund the distribution of oral contraceptives and condoms in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, according to a report released Monday.
The funding, issued by USAID in July and transferred in August 2024, is part of a broader $100 million initiative aimed at promoting reproductive health, community resilience, and gender equality. This comes despite the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on women’s rights, including bans on girls’ education and female employment.
While USAID maintains that no direct assistance was provided to the Taliban, the agency acknowledged that “some coordination” with Taliban authorities was necessary to implement the program on the ground. The agency also claimed to have safeguards in place to prevent misuse.
The revelation has triggered backlash from U.S. lawmakers and watchdogs. Rep. Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, vowed a thorough review of all foreign aid expenditures. Meanwhile, critics argue the program fails to address urgent issues like gender-based violence and women’s repression under Taliban rule.
In contrast, the incoming Trump administration has suspended nearly all foreign aid to Afghanistan, pending a review of its effectiveness and alignment with U.S. interests.
