Forbes has reported, citing a recent analysis by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), that ongoing restrictions on girls’ education and women’s participation in the workforce are having significant economic and social consequences in Afghanistan.
Published on Wednesday, June 3, the report highlights UNICEF’s warning that limiting girls’ access to education reduces human capital and weakens the foundations of Afghanistan’s economy.
According to the analysis, the ban on education for girls above the sixth grade, along with restrictions on women’s employment, has already reduced Afghanistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) by approximately 0.5 percent.
UNICEF said the continuation of these policies could lead to a substantial decline in the number of skilled workers in the coming years, particularly in the health and education sectors, placing additional pressure on public services.
The report also notes that millions of girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of their right to education. It warns that the situation could contribute to higher rates of child marriage, child malnutrition, and reduced access to healthcare services.
UNICEF further cautioned that if the restrictions remain in place, millions more girls could be denied secondary education by 2030, while tens of thousands of qualified women may be excluded from the labor market.
The report calls on the Taliban to lift restrictions on women’s education and employment to prevent further deterioration of the country’s economic and social conditions.
