UN Women warns against normalizing exclusion of Afghan women

Five years after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, international observers and UN officials are warning against the normalization of the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life. Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, stated that the rights of Afghan women are ‘not negotiable’ and emphasized that the erasure of their roles must not be accepted as a standard.

Under Taliban rule, more than 100 decrees have been issued to restrict freedoms. Afghanistan remains the only nation where girls are banned from secondary and higher education. Women face severe limitations on employment, medical training, freedom of movement, and access to public spaces. Reports indicate that nearly 8 in 10 young Afghan women are currently excluded from education, employment, or training.

The restrictions have contributed to a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis. The exclusion of women from the workforce undermines the national economy and complicates aid delivery, as female aid workers are often essential to reach women and children in restrictive communities. Additionally, the ban on women’s medical education poses a long-term threat to the country’s healthcare infrastructure.