Afghanistan aid donors struggle with crackdown on women, less money

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power speaks as she participates in a Peace, Security and Governance Forum during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit 2022 in Washington, U.S., December 13, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo

The Afghan people are in for a "very difficult year ahead," warned the top U.S. aid official, as donors grapple with challenging a Taliban administration crackdown on women and girls, more crises around the world and overall less funding.

The Taliban seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces withdrew after 20 years of war. Last month the Taliban began enforcing the ban on Afghan women working for the U.N. after stopping most women working for aid groups in December.