The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that its Afghan female staff in Kabul are facing a wave of death threats and intimidation, amid credible reports that individuals linked to the Taliban have stalked and harassed women employed by UN agencies. The escalating threats have forced several female personnel to work remotely as the organisation scrambles to safeguard their security.
The revelation comes a week after Afghanistan International first broke the story. According to at least three UN sources in Kabul, armed men believed to be affiliated with the Taliban trailed and threatened Afghan women working across various UN agencies on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Victims described being shadowed on the streets and receiving chilling phone calls warning them to “stay home.”
“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing. They call me a traitor for working with foreigners. They say they’re watching me,” one UN employee told AFP, requesting anonymity due to fear of retaliation.
In a statement, UNAMA confirmed the gravity of the situation: “Several United Nations female national staff members in the Afghan capital Kabul have been subjected to threats by unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN.” It added that the organisation has implemented “interim measures” to ensure the safety and protection of its personnel.
“These threats are deeply concerning and represent a direct attack on the rights, dignity, and safety of Afghan women working to serve their communities,” the mission stated.
While the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior has denied involvement, describing the threats as “criminal acts,” and claiming that police are investigating, rights groups and observers remain sceptical. UNAMA noted that Taliban authorities had opened an inquiry following the reports, but many fear that the perpetrators may enjoy tacit immunity amid a broader crackdown on women’s freedoms.
Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s rights, including banning them from working with both domestic and international NGOs in 2022. In 2023, the ban was extended to include UN agencies, effectively paralyzing the role of Afghan women in humanitarian operations.
The current wave of harassment is being viewed as a continuation of that policy enforced now not only through official decrees but also via fear and coercion on the streets.
UN officials have reiterated their unwavering commitment to the safety of Afghan staff and condemned the threats in the strongest terms. “This intimidation strikes at the heart of humanitarian principles and is part of a broader effort to erase Afghan women from public life,” one senior official said.
The United Nations is actively engaging with Afghan authorities to demand accountability and prevent further escalation, while calling on the international community to not turn a blind eye as the space for Afghan women shrinks under the shadow of threats, fear, and repression.
