KABUL: Afghan women are facing severe restrictions on employment opportunities under Taliban rule, exacerbating economic hardships and curbing aspirations in a country where women’s rights have been severely constrained for three years.
The World Bank’s latest figures reveal a stark reality: female labor force participation in Afghanistan plummeted to a mere 4.8% in 2023, reflecting a dramatic decline in women’s access to employment and economic independence.
Ferozan Ahmadzai, one among an estimated 200,000 Afghan women prohibited from working by Taliban laws, now finds herself making pickles in a local shop, abandoning her dream of pursuing a career as a doctor.
“The situation is devastating. I had ambitions to become a doctor, but now I must settle for whatever work I can find to support my family,” Ahmadzai lamented, echoing the sentiments of countless Afghan women facing restricted opportunities.
The United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) has documented the harsh realities faced by Afghan women, highlighting severe wage reductions for those who continue to work in government roles and widespread barriers preventing women from entering the workforce.
“Women’s rights in Afghanistan have regressed significantly under Taliban rule,” stated a UN report, which identified Afghanistan as the world’s most oppressive country for women and girls. Many women struggle to obtain work permits, face unfair compensation practices, and cope with outdated equipment in workplaces.
The dire situation has not only stymied economic prospects but has also taken a toll on the mental and physical health of Afghan women. Reports indicate rising levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among women who find themselves marginalized and unable to contribute meaningfully to society.
International organizations and human rights advocates have condemned the restrictions imposed on Afghan women, urging the Taliban leadership to uphold women’s rights as guaranteed under international standards.
“Women in Afghanistan deserve the right to work freely and pursue their aspirations without fear of discrimination or reprisal,” emphasized a spokesperson for a human rights organization.
