Afghan Women: Education & Work Crisis
- Nearly 80% of Afghan women under 30 face exclusion from both education and employment under the Taliban regime, according to a United Nations report released tuesday.
- The UN warns that barring women from higher education will drastically reduce the number of qualified women entering Afghanistan's labor market. This education gap poses long-term challenges.
- As regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have prohibited women from accessing education beyond the sixth grade.
News from June 17, 2025, reveals an alarming crisis: nearly 80% of Afghan women under 30 are shut out of education and work due to Taliban policies. This UN report highlights how restrictions on their role in society are deepening. The Taliban’s ban on education beyond sixth grade and medical training severely limits work opportunities, preventing women from entering the labor market. Find out how this affects the nation’s greater education goals. Despite these obstacles, 24% of women seek employment in low-paying sectors. The UN urges the Taliban to reverse these policies, underscoring women’s importance to afghanistan’s future, as reflected in the mission of the institution. For in-depth analysis, discover more at News Directory 3. Discover what’s next regarding their struggle.
Taliban’s Policies Shut Out Afghan Women From Education, Work
Updated June 17, 2025
Nearly 80% of Afghan women under 30 face exclusion from both education and employment under the Taliban regime, according to a United Nations report released tuesday. The restrictions considerably impact their role in society.
The UN warns that barring women from higher education will drastically reduce the number of qualified women entering Afghanistan’s labor market. This education gap poses long-term challenges.
As regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have prohibited women from accessing education beyond the sixth grade. This policy severely limits their work opportunities.
In December, the Islamist rulers extended the ban to include medical training, further restricting women’s professional paths.
While some schools continue to offer lessons to older girls, the UN emphasizes that these efforts are not a lasting solution.
Afghan women are also barred from numerous professions. Despite these restrictions, economic necessity drives many women to seek employment. The UN reports that 24% of Afghan women are currently employed or actively seeking work, often forced to accept poorly compensated jobs in the informal sector.
“Afghanistan’s greatest resource is its women and girls,” said Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women. “We must stand with them in their pursuit of a country that reflects their rights and the aspirations of all Afghans.”
What’s next
The UN continues to urge the Taliban to reverse these policies, emphasizing the critical role of women in Afghanistan’s future and the detrimental impact of these restrictions on the nation’s progress.