Two Years After Taliban Ban, Afghan Women Face Severe Economic Hardship

Two years after the Taliban imposed a ban on women working in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), many families in Afghanistan struggle with poverty and despair. Meanwhile, UN agencies have stepped up their efforts to alleviate the crisis.

The decree, issued in December 2022, has forced thousands of women out of their jobs, severing crucial financial support for households across the country.

The economic impact has been particularly devastating for families that relied on women as primary earners. Many women, once engaged in meaningful work, now find themselves unemployed and confined to their homes, battling severe economic hardship. The loss of income has led to increased suffering for families, particularly those with dependents to support.

The ban on women’s employment, coupled with restrictions on education, has drawn widespread international condemnation and heightened fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The United States has been a vocal critic of the Taliban’s policies. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently urged the Taliban to reverse all decrees limiting women’s rights. Rina Amiri, the U.S. special envoy for Afghan women, warned that excluding women from work and education could further plunge Afghanistan into darkness.

Despite these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has stepped in to support over 80,000 small businesses led by women in Afghanistan. UNDP head Stephen Rodrigues highlighted that their initiatives have created employment opportunities for 900,000 people and benefited 4.5 million individuals. Female entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to small businesses as a means of survival, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.

However, a recent survey revealed that 73% of women cannot travel to local markets without a male guardian, and only 5% of women surveyed had received loans from banks. Barriers such as gender discrimination and operational limitations continue to hinder women’s economic independence.