Introduction Between Hope and Collapse
Social status of Afghan women has faced dramatical fluctuation in the last half century.Women who were getting into parlimentary with constitutional rights,taking place at universities and who were visible in Daily life in the past has disappeared from education and worklife in one night with Taliban’s rulership.
Following the international intervention and subsequent reconstruction efforts, there was a significant rise in girls’ school enrollment, women’s participation in the workforce, and their political representation. However, much of this progress has been rolled back since the Taliban’s return to power.
Today, Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are banned from accessing secondary and higher education nationwide. Data from organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and UN Women indicate that this is not only a violation of individual rights, but also a deep crisis that threatens the country’s development, healthcare system, and social structure.
Regression and Resistance in Education
Over the past two decades, there had been significant progress in girls’ education in Afghanistan. According to UNESCO, primary school enrollment rates for girls had surpassed 40% during that period. However, these achievements were undone by the Taliban’s post-2021 policies. Current data from UNESCO indicates that more than 2.5 million girls have been completely denied access to education. This alarming situation threatens the future of younger generations.
Employment and Economic Participation
According to World Bank data, women’s labor force participation in Afghanistan had once reached as high as 22%. However, with the return of the Taliban, women’s ability to work in government institutions, NGOs, and even the private sector has been severely restricted. As a result, female employment rates have dropped sharply. World Bank reports indicate that many young women are now turning to low-productivity jobs out of necessity, simply to survive.
Politics and Representation
Under the previous constitution, women were guaranteed 27% of the seats in parliament. However, with the dysfunctionaning of the parliamentary system under Taliban rule, female representation has dropped to zero. As a result, women have been entirely excluded from decision-making processes.
Health and Social Status
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan remain alarmingly high. The ongoing education ban is expected to worsen the shortage of female doctors, further deepening the country’s health crisis. Gender-based discrimination limits access to healthcare, while women and girls remain at heightened risk in essential areas such as nutrition and hygiene.
Mechanisms of Resistance
Afghan women are developing various mechanisms to resist the oppression they face. Underground schools, secret education networks, independent media initiatives like Radio Begum, and diaspora movements are among the most tangible examples of this resistance. Recently, protests organized by women in Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif were harshly suppressed by Taliban forces. Nevertheless, these actions have succeeded in drawing international attention.
International Reactions and Consequences
UNESCO, UNICEF, and the UN Secretary-General have strongly condemned the violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an investigation into the systematic oppression of women, considering it as crimes against humanity, and legal proceedings are ongoing. This move is regarded as a historic development for women’s rights.
Conclusion
The exclusion of Afghan women from education, employment, and political participation is not only a human rights issue but also a critical threat to the country’s development and social stability. The international community must develop a more effective and coordinated response to the human rights crisis in Afghanistan. Restoring women’s rights is vital for the nation’s future
REFERENCES
· UNICEF. As New School Year Starts in Afghanistan, Almost 400,000 More Girls Deprived of Their Right to Education (Press Release).
· UNESCO. Afghanistan: 1.4 Million Girls Still Banned from School by De Facto Authorities.
· World Bank. Afghanistan Gender Index: Women’s Economic Participation.
· UN Women. Gender Alert I: Women’s Rights in Afghanistan: Where Are We Now?
· World Health Organization (WHO). Afghanistan: Maternal and Newborn Health.
· Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Taliban Weaponising Justice Sector to Entrench Gender Persecution in Afghanistan: UN Expert.
· BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, AP News. Archives and analyses on civil protests in Afghanistan, women’s resistance mechanisms, and international reactions.
