UN: Eight out of 10 young Afghan women excluded from education, work

Almost 80% of all women under 30 years old are excluded from education or work under the Islamist Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a report by the United Nations released on Tuesday showed.

If the rulers in Kabul continue to exclude girls and women from higher education, the number of qualified women in the labour market would significantly decrease, the UN warned.

Under the Taliban, who have been back in power in Afghanistan since August 2021, women are prohibited from accessing education from the seventh grade onwards.

In December, the Islamists also banned women from training in the medical field.

Although some schools still offer lessons for older girls contrary to the order, the UN emphasizes that this is not a sustainable alternative.

Afghan women are also excluded from numerous professions by the Taliban. However, due to economic necessity, women are dependent on work according to the UN report, with 24% of Afghan women currently employed or seeking work. Many are forced to take poorly paid jobs in the informal sector.

"Afghanistan’s greatest resource is its women and girls," said the executive director of UN Women, Sima Bahous. "We must stand with them in their pursuit of a country that reflects their rights and the aspirations of all Afghans."