Over One Million Girls Denied Education Since 2021 Secondary School Ban

Afghanistan’s economy is facing a severe and escalating financial toll due to restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment, according to a new analysis by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The report, titled The Cost of Inaction on Girls’ Education and Women’s Labour Force Participation in Afghanistan, warns that the country could lose up to 25,000 female teachers and healthcare workers by 2030 if current policies remain unchanged. The economic consequences are already measurable, with an annual loss of US$84 million in economic output attributed to the exclusion of women from education and the workforce.

Over a Million Girls Denied Education Since 2021 Ban

The UNICEF report confirms that more than one million girls have been denied access to secondary education since the de facto authorities imposed a ban in 2021. The restrictions have not only disrupted the education of a generation but have also led to a sharp decline in the number of trained female professionals in critical sectors. Female representation in Afghanistan’s civil services fell from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2025, a trend that threatens to undermine the country’s education and healthcare systems.

The analysis projects that by 2030, Afghanistan could lose up to 20,000 women teachers and 5,400 healthcare workers if the current restrictions persist. These losses are particularly damaging in sectors where female professionals are essential. In healthcare, for example, societal norms often prevent women from receiving medical care from male providers, meaning the decline in female health workers directly limits access to maternal, newborn and child health services.

Economic and Social Consequences

The report highlights that the exclusion of women from education and employment is not only a human rights issue but also an economic one. The US$84 million annual loss in economic output is expected to compound over time as women remain barred from contributing to the workforce. The restrictions are particularly harmful in teaching and healthcare, two sectors where women are permitted to work and where their presence is critically needed to ensure services reach all segments of the population.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the long-term consequences of these policies.

“Afghanistan cannot afford to lose future teachers, nurses, doctors, midwives, and social workers, who sustain essential services. This will be the reality if girls continue to be excluded from education.”

Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

The report also warns that the dwindling number of trained women professionals will have devastating effects on children’s learning, health outcomes, and future opportunities. With fewer female teachers, schools may struggle to retain girls, while the reduction in female healthcare workers could lead to poorer health outcomes for women and children.

Call for International Action

UNICEF has urged the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to lift the ban on secondary education for girls and has called on the international community to remain committed to supporting girls’ rights to learn. The report underscores that the restrictions are not only a violation of human rights but also a barrier to the country’s economic recovery and development.

The analysis comes at a time when Afghanistan is already grappling with economic instability and humanitarian challenges. The loss of female professionals in key sectors could further destabilize the country’s fragile systems, making it even more difficult to achieve sustainable development goals.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community faces growing pressure to address the systemic barriers preventing Afghan girls and women from accessing education and employment. Without intervention, the report warns that the consequences could be irreversible, with lasting damage to Afghanistan’s economy and society.