UNITED NATIONS: UN Women has warned that Afghan women and girls are facing severe exclusion from public life under Taliban rule, four years after the group’s return to power in 2021.
The agency cited restrictions on education, employment, healthcare, and freedom of movement. UNAMA reports highlight strict enforcement of mahram requirements, bans on secondary and higher education, and mandatory full-body coverings in some regions.
Currently, over 78 percent of Afghan women are outside education, employment, or training, limiting their economic participation.
The measures also heighten risks of maternal mortality, child marriage, and gender-based violence. Despite these challenges, Afghan women continue to provide essential services and advocate for their communities.
Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s representative in Afghanistan, said: “Silencing Afghan women and girls sends a dangerous message about the disposability of women’s rights worldwide.”
