The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reported that the de facto Afghan authorities have intensified restrictions on women’s employment outside the home, leaving only 7% of women currently working in public spaces.
In a report released on Sunday, 22 Saratan (July 13), UNDP warned that growing economic inequality could have serious consequences for Afghanistan’s future, noting that 84% of men participate in activities outside the home.
According to the report, women’s reliance on temporary and unpaid work surged dramatically in 2024, rising from 37% the previous year to 57%.
The report also noted a significant decline in women’s access to healthcare and housing services.
UNDP further warned that excluding women from the formal economy could cost Afghanistan up to $920 million in economic losses between 2024 and 2026.
Since 2021, UNDP has provided humanitarian assistance to 25 million people in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on supporting women and girls.
The report stated that since 2021, UNDP has supported nearly 80,000 formal and informal businesses — 97% of them run by women — which has helped create over 400,000 jobs and improved the lives of 2.7 million people.
UNDP emphasized that its “for women, by women, through women” approach has directly benefited more than 8 million Afghan women through its programs.
