WASHINGTON: The World Bank has put four projects in Afghanistan worth $600 million on hold amid concerns over a decision by the Taliban regime to ban girls from returning to public high schools, the bank said.

The projects, to be funded under the revamped Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, were being readied for implementation by the United Nations agencies to support projects in agriculture, education, health and livelihoods.

But the bank’s guidance requires all ARTF-financed activities to support access to — and equity of services for — women and girls in Afghanistan, the bank said, citing its deep concerns over the Taliban’s ban on girls attending high school.

As a result, the bank said, the four projects will be presented to ARTF donors for approval only “when the World Bank and international partners have a better understanding of the situation and confidence that the goals of the projects can be met”. It was not immediately clear when that could occur.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2022