UN: Afghan Women Face Near Total Exclusion – Genocide Watch

Report on Gender Inequality and Sustainable Development Goals in Afghanistan

Overview of Gender Participation Decline

Over the past decade, the United Nations has expressed concern regarding the persistently low participation of Afghan women and girls in decision-making bodies and in secondary and higher education. Recently, this participation has plummeted to zero:

1. Zero women in national or local decision-making bodies.
2. Zero girls projected to be enrolled in secondary education following a December 2024 ban.

These alarming statistics were highlighted in an index released by UN Women, the gender equality agency, representing the most comprehensive study on gender inequality in Afghanistan since the Taliban resumed de facto control in 2021.

State of Gender Equality in Afghanistan

The report paints a sobering picture of gender equality, noting that:

• Since 2021, there has been a deliberate and unprecedented assault on the rights, dignity, and existence of Afghan women and girls.
• Despite near-total restrictions, Afghan women continue to persevere.
• Afghanistan currently has the second-worst gender gap globally, with a 76% disparity between women’s and men’s achievements in health, education, financial inclusion, and decision-making.
• Afghan women are realizing only 17% of their potential.
• Recent policies, including the December 2024 ban on women in secondary education and restrictions on women’s movement, are expected to worsen this under-realized potential.

Historical Context and Institutional Barriers

UN Women emphasized that gender inequality in Afghanistan predates the Taliban regime. The institutionalized discrimination imposed by the Taliban adds layers to deep-rooted barriers that have historically held women back.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The systematic exclusion of women from all levels of society severely impedes progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The ban on secondary education for girls directly contravenes the goal of inclusive and equitable quality education.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The absence of women in decision-making bodies and restrictions on their rights undermine gender equality.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Limited female labor force participation and employment in low-paid, insecure jobs hinder economic growth and decent work opportunities.
• SDG 1: No Poverty – Exclusion exacerbates poverty and instability, affecting the broader economy and social fabric.

Economic and Social Effects

Key findings on economic and social impacts include:

• Only 24% of women participate in the labor force compared to 89% of men.
• Economic, political, and humanitarian crises have forced more women to enter the workforce, often out of necessity.
• Women predominantly occupy lower-paid, less secure jobs and bear the majority of unpaid domestic work.
• Despite constraints, Afghan women continue to advocate for their rights and run businesses, demonstrating resilience across generations.

Urgent Humanitarian and Funding Challenges

The humanitarian outlook in Afghanistan is increasingly bleak, with only 18% of the 2025 humanitarian response plan funded. This funding shortfall has tangible impacts:

• Closure of 300 nutrition sites for malnourished mothers and children.
• Suspension of 216 gender-based violence support points, affecting over one million women and girls.

UN agencies and partners have issued urgent appeals for increased, flexible, timely, and predictable funding to address these critical needs.

Global Implications and Call to Action

The choices made by the global community will reflect its commitment to human rights and gender equality. The erasure of Afghan women and girls sends a dangerous message about the fragility of women’s rights worldwide.

UN Women’s humanitarian action chief, Sofia Calltorp, stated:

“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 expendable.”

Despite severe restrictions, Afghan women and girls have not given up, and the international community must not give up on them.

Conclusion

Afghanistan’s greatest resource remains its women and girls, whose potential continues to be untapped due to systemic exclusion and institutionalized discrimination. Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Afghanistan requires urgent action to restore and protect the rights of women and girls, ensure their participation in education and decision-making, and provide adequate humanitarian support.

Copyright © United Nations

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Addressed through the issue of girls being excluded from secondary education in Afghanistan following the December 2024 ban.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Central to the article, highlighting the systematic exclusion of women from decision-making, education, and economic participation.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Discussed in relation to women’s low participation in the labor force and the economic impact of gender inequality.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Implied through the exacerbation of poverty due to exclusion and economic instability affecting women and households.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Relevant due to the exclusion of women from decision-making bodies and governance structures.

2. Specific Targets Identified Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.
   • Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through social protection policies and public services.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Education Indicators
   • Percentage of girls enrolled in secondary education (implied by the ban on girls’ secondary education).
   • Gender parity index in education participation.
2. Gender Equality Indicators
   • Proportion of women in national and local decision-making bodies (noted as zero in the article).
   • Gender gap in health, education, financial inclusion, and decision-making (76% disparity mentioned).
   • Women’s labor force participation rate (currently 24% compared to 89% men).
   • Proportion of women engaged in unpaid domestic work (implied).
3. Economic Indicators
   • Women’s share of employment in secure and well-paid jobs (implied as low).
4. Humanitarian and Social Indicators
   • Number of nutrition sites and gender-based violence points operational (300 nutrition sites and 216 GBV points closed or suspended).
   • Percentage of humanitarian response plan funded (only 18% funded for 2025).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: genocidewatch.com