Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. 

Afghanistan’s ban on female aid workers stole thousands of doctors, teachers and caregivers from children. Now, kids’ futures are at even greater risk — and if the United States doesn’t step in, their lives will be, too. 

Hi Friend,

When I visited Afghanistan last March, I saw crisis — but I saw hope, too. Like kids in classrooms, dreaming of who they’ll be when they grow up.

This time, due to the ban on female aid workers, families are facing a devastating support gap in the depths of winter.  

Nearly half of Save the Children’s staff in Afghanistan are women. Without them, we cannot safely protect children from frostbite, famine, disease and danger. 

Our leaders need to hear their stories. I’d like to share one with you.

Growing up, the Taliban didn’t allow Fatima* to go to school — until a humanitarian organization came to her village. Before the ban, she was a teacher.  

Now, it feels like history is repeating itself.  

“This will cost lives,” she shared. “Women and girls in our communities can only see female midwives, doctors, nurses or teachers.”  

Friend, that means households run by women can only receive cash assistance and food support or even health care from a female aid worker.  

Most women in Afghanistan are only allowed to see female health professionals and case workers, and girls can only be taught by female teachers. If female staff are removed from the workforce of aid agencies in Afghanistan, we will no longer be able to provide life-saving services to millions of women and children. 

Save the Children stands with the people of Afghanistan and calls for the return of women to work, school and university — and our nation must, too.  

Please, send a message to lawmakers: We must demand the inclusion of female aid workers in all parts of our response. Without them, we can’t keep kids safe, nourished and learning. 

Thank you for all you do for the world’s children, 

Janti Soeripto  

Board Chair

Save the Children Action Network

*Name changed for protection  

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