Taliban restrictions on women's education and employment in Afghanistan have led to significant economic and social challenges since their takeover in 2021. The ban on girls' secondary education has affected over 1 million students, while the prohibition of university and professional education for women has been labeled as un-Islamic by the Taliban government.
According to UNICEF, the ban on girls' education has resulted in an economic loss of over $500 million for Afghanistan in the past year. Afghan media reports that thousands of female teachers have become unemployed, with over 14,000 government teaching positions eliminated. These teachers are now limited to working only in primary schools.
The employment restrictions have left many women unable to support their families, contributing to rising unemployment rates and reported psychological issues among women. The closure of schools and limitation of job opportunities have particularly impacted women who were previously breadwinners for their families.
These human rights violations, especially concerning women's basic rights, have drawn international condemnation. The United Nations and global community are being urged to take strong action against the Taliban's severe human rights infringements.
