UN Women continues to stand with Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule, supporting livelihoods, responding to crises and elevating their voices.
Just four years ago, a woman in Afghanistan could technically decide to run for President, attend university, or play sports.
Today, none of that is possible. Even before the Taliban took power in August 2021, Afghanistan ranked among the lowest countries in the world for gender equality. But there had been hard-won gains. Now, under the Taliban’s de facto rule, those gains have been erased and Afghanistan has become the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis.
“I reassure myself that women and girls in our society will once again access opportunities for work, education and their basic rights.” – Fariba (name changed)
Yet the fierce determination and resistance of Afghan women continues to burn – and inspire. Despite near-total restrictions on their lives, they still find ways to run businesses and work on the front lines as humanitarian workers, journalists and community leaders.
“Sometimes, I wonder how to remain hopeful in these dark circumstances,” says Fariba (name changed), who had just started a degree when universities were closed to women. “Nonetheless, I remain hopeful for the future and reassure myself that darkness will end soon, and women and girls in our society will once again access opportunities for work, education and their basic rights.”
Athar (name changed) dreamed of working as a civil engineer. After the Taliban takeover, she instead set up an online store selling hygiene and cosmetic products. She is not ready to give up, and determined that women should leverage all remaining opportunities. “There is always a way out of difficulties,” she says.
Afghan women’s rights under the Taliban
UN Women’s 2024 Afghanistan Gender Index, developed with European Union support, confirmed that the country is falling ‘catastrophically’ far behind on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Nearly 80 per cent of young Afghan women are not in education, employment or training. Not a single woman has a position in the de facto Cabinet or local offices.
A complex patchwork of more than 80 edicts, directives and decrees introduced by the Taliban has directly and systematically targeted women’s rights and autonomy. They ban women from education after Grade Six; most professions; and from public spaces, including parks, gyms, and sports clubs.
Learn more about the erasure of Afghan women’s rights under the Taliban.
Afghan women are being pushed out of nearly every sphere of life
8 out of 10
8 out of 10 young Afghan women are excluded from education, jobs, and training
24%
24 per cent of Afghan women are in the labour force, compared to 89 per cent of men
Amid pushback, UN Women doubles down
Since UN Women was created 15 years ago, we have stood in unbroken solidarity with Afghan women.
The history of women’s movements in Afghanistan is long and proud. It includes women gaining the right to vote in 1919, a year before women in the United States and decades before women in many other parts of the world.
In the 2000s, following the collapse of the previous Taliban regime, Afghanistan enshrined women’s rights in its Constitution. UN Women supported a flourishing women’s ministry and an influx of new women into civil service positions, parliament and the judiciary. Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, however, draconian legislation codified unprecedented restrictions on women’s rights and freedoms.
Today, UN Women stands as both a steadfast presence in the country and one of the most trusted, effective sources of international support for women and girls.
“This is not only about the rights – and futures – of Afghan women and girls,” says Susan Ferguson. “It’s about what we stand for as a global community. If we allow Afghan women and girls to be silenced, we send a message that the rights of women and girls everywhere are disposable. And that’s an immensely dangerous precedent.”
“UN Women is investing in the strength, leadership and resilience of Afghan women, holding the line on women’s rights and creating space for Afghan women to be heard from directly. Our work is an indisputable act of solidarity,” she adds.
Read more about UN Women’s role in Afghanistan during the takeover.
How UN Women works with women in Afghanistan today
UN Women works across Afghanistan to stand with women and girls – so they can stay safe, build their skills, earn a living, access vital services, receive support in emergencies and have a voice in shaping humanitarian responses.
Strengthening Afghan women’s leadership and influence by partnering with women’s organisations, providing them with financial support, training and mentorship is a big priority. UN Women collaborated with many before the Taliban takeover and has since scaled up support, partnering with more than 200 women’s organisations in 2024.
This includes our flagship initiative, Rebuilding the Women’s Movement, funded by the Swiss Development Corporation and the Governments of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
The programme embodies our commitment to work by women, for women. Across all 34 provinces, it has sustained 140 women’s organisations, helping to preserve their hope and vision for a better future . Rebuilding the Women’s Movement invests in small, grassroots organisations in remote areas, enabling them to keep their doors open, retain staff, create safe spaces for organisations and women leaders to connect, share experiences and support one another. To date, the programme has helped more than 16,000 women through awareness-raising, skills training, business starter kits and childcare.
“I will continue to stand strong, as a woman, supporting other Afghan women.” – Mehrgan (name changed)
In Kunduz Province, Mehrgan (name changed) leads a women’s organisation that promotes women’s leadership. In 2022, despite years of impact – including training hundreds of women and supporting a network of non-governmental groups – the group lost most of its funding and staff. With support from UN Women, it has resumed its work and improved its organisational capacity. It is now helping other local women’s organisations to do the same.
“I will continue to stand strong, as a woman, supporting other Afghan women.” says Mehrgan. “I go to remote areas and collect [women’s] stories, listen to their problems, and this gives them hope. I try my best and that also gives me hope.”
Afghan women return from Pakistan to an uncertain future
Women-only help desks offer safe support at the border
More than one million Afghans have returned from Pakistan since September 2023, including many women and girls who arrive exhausted, fearful, and unsure of what lies ahead. At the border, women often hesitate to speak openly about their needs in the presence of male officials or other strangers.
To address this, UN Women has set up women-only information desks, led by local women organisations and women humanitarians to offer safe and confidential support. These desks not only calm fears but also connect returnees to essential services and information which women often struggle to access.
“Many share heartbreaking experiences of how they were forced to leave,” says one women humanitarian worker. “We offer reassurance, telling them we are women just like you, and explaining what kinds of support might be available.”
UN Women supports local women-led humanitarian response efforts
UN Women’s longstanding presence in Afghanistan and deep ties with local communities enable rapid and responsive action in times of crisis.
From surveys to the Security Council: Listening to women across Afghanistan
Since 2022, women from all 34 provinces of Afghanistan have come together four times a year to talk about the serious challenges they face in daily life. These meetings are a vital way to hear from women at a time when their voices are largely missing from public life.
Thousands of Afghan women — including many in remote areas — have been consulted through UN Women’s network of trained interviewers. Their insights help shape UN Women’s work on the ground and inform international policymaking, including discussions at the United Nations Security Council and in global media.
Afghanistan can be changed – Women share their hopes
Every service, training and job UN Women supports helps Afghan women survive today and prepare to take back their place in society when the time comes.
“The colours of the rainbow have dimmed in my life, and I no longer see any colours to paint,” said Anita (name changed). “My fellow women: never lose hope in the ups and downs of life, in the lows and highs. We should never be stopped by obstacles.”
Lina (name changed), a former journalist, adds: “Women want the right to make decisions, not just in their homes but in government and other spaces. They want an education. They want their rights.”
UN Women stands with the women of Afghanistan in putting history back on the course they want.
Note: Names of women quoted have been changed to protect their identity, as indicated. Photographs of Afghan women featured with quotes do not correspond to the stories or names mentioned, to protect their identities.
This is our moment to act
For 15 years, UN Women has worked with all women and girls, for women’s rights and gender equality. We will never give up. Now is the time to stand with us. You have the power to protect progress, sustain local women leaders, and deliver true change.
We are experienced enough to deliver. We are bold enough to transform.
Originally published by UN Women
