But recently, the level of participation has reached a new low – zero.
Zero women in national or local decision -making organizations.
Zero Girls should be in secondary education after a ban by December 2024.
These figures are part of the index published Tuesday by Gender Equality Agency United Nations This is the most complete study on gender inequalities in Afghanistan since the Taliban resumed de facto control in 2021.
He paints an image that gives reflection on the state of gender equality in Afghanistan.
” From [2021]We attended a deliberate and unprecedented assault against the rights, the dignity and the very existence of Afghan women and girls. And yet, despite almost total restrictions on their lives, Afghan women persevered, “said Sofia Calltorp, head of women of humanitarian action, in a briefing in Geneva.
The widest genre gap in the world
The report published by the UN women noted that although the Taliban regime presided over “unrivaled” gender inequalities, the disparities existed well before 2021.
“The question of gender inequality in Afghanistan did not start with the Taliban. Their institutionalized discrimination is superimposed above the deep barriers which also prevent women“Said Ms. Calltorp.
According to the index, Afghanistan currently has the second worst gap between the sexes worldwide, with a disparity of 76% between the achievements of women and men in matters of health, education, financial inclusion and decision -making.
Afghan women are currently Achieve only 17% of their potentialAnd recent de facto government policies-including the December 2024 ban on women in secondary education and increasingly strict restrictions on the women’s movement-will perpetuate and perhaps worsen this under-elected potential.
Systematic exclusion and social effects
This type of systematic exclusion of women from society at all levels not only hinders progress on the Sustainable development objectives (ODD) and gender equality but also worsely aggravates poverty and instability, which makes it more difficult for the economy to diversify the sources of workforce.
“Afghanistan’s biggest resource is his wives and daughters. Their potential continues to be unexploited“Said the Executive Director of UN Women SIMA BAHHE.
Currently, only 24% of women are part of the active population, compared to 89% of men. The continuation of prolonged economic conflicts led the number of women on the labor market.
“The economic, political and humanitarian crises that overlap – all with women’s rights – have pushed many households on the edge. In response – often by necessity – more women enter the labor market, ”said Calltorp.
However, women still work mainly in less well paid and less safe positions and are extremely responsible for all unpaid domestic work.
Ms. Calltorp noted that despite the daily “devastating” constraints with which Afghan women face, they continue to defend themselves and their rights.
“” [Afghan women] Continue to find ways to manage companies and defend their rights – and the rights of all Afghans … Their courage and their resilience extends over generations, “said Calltorp.
Choice struck
In addition to a deterioration of the sex equality landscape, the prospects for help in Afghanistan are more and more dark with only 18% of the humanitarian response plan of 2025 for funded Afghanistan.
This has tangible field impacts, leading the United Nations agencies and partners to call for action and funds.
“Most times in Afghanistan, we have seen how donors’ support can make the difference between life and death … We make an urgent appeal to donors to increase flexible, opportune and predictable funding,” they said.
Women, girls and other vulnerable groups are particularly affected by these financing shortages – 300 nutritional sites for Mothers and Mal -fed children closed and 216 gender -based points of violence have suspended the work impacting more than a million women and girls.
“The choices we make now reveal what we represent as a global community. If the world tolerates the erasure of Afghan women and girls, it sends a message that the rights of women and girls everywhere are fragile and consumable“Said Ms. Calltorp.
“Afghan women and girls have not abandoned, and we will not abandon them.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com