KABUL, June 23 (Reuters) – Taliban authorities in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province ordered female aid workers this week to stop work on a refugee project, according to an official letter, reinforcing rules against women working despite exemptions sought by some organisations.

The letter between departments of the ministry for refugees in Kandahar, the Taliban’s historical heartland, said aid agencies had been in violation of the orders in work related to refugees in Spin Boldak, a town near the border with Pakistan.

The letter seen by Reuters was confirmed by a spokesman for the provincial governor.

“All partner organisations that are working with the Department of Refugees and Repatriation of Spin Boldak … should ask their female colleagues not to come to their work and stay at home until further notice,” the letter said.

A spokesperson for the United Nations’ humanitarian coordination office said the body was aware of the instruction and seeking clarity.

The letter underscored the uncertainty of the operating environment in Afghanistan for aid agencies who say they intend to stay and deliver aid during a humanitarian crisis but seek exemptions to let female staff work, to reach female beneficiaries and avoid breaching UN charter principles.

The Norwegian Refugee Council, an international NGO, in May said it had received exemptions for many of its operations in Kandahar and was resuming work with female staff. A spokesperson for NRC declined to comment on this week’s letter.

The Taliban’s restrictions on women aid workers and access to education have been widely criticized by the international community. Diplomats have said the path toward formal recognition of the Taliban’s government is limited until it reverses course.

The Taliban, which took power after the United States pulled out troops supporting an elected governement in 2021, say they respect women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and local custom.