Labor Market Under Siege: Afghanistan’s Women Lost in the Shadows

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) report on Afghanistan’s labor market paints a stark picture of the devastating impact of the Taliban’s return to power on women’s economic participation. According to the ILO, only 5.1% of workers are women – a decline from 16.5% in 2020 and a staggering drop since 2019 when women enjoyed relatively improved economic and educational freedoms.

The Taliban’s draconian restrictions on women’s access to education, employment, and basic human rights have had a disproportionate impact on the labor market. The ILO reports significant demographic and institutional changes that have pushed female labor force participation to new lows. Young women are increasingly being relegated to the sidelines, categorized as “NEETs” – not in education, employment, or training.

Afghanistan’s economy remains under pressure, having only moderately recovered from the crash of 2021 and struggling to keep pace with population growth. While employment numbers may be rising, they are being outpaced by emigrant returns, exacerbating the already dire unemployment situation. Businesses owned by women have seen a rare increase in prevalence, largely due to the scarcity of other employment options, but this development barely scratches the surface of the issue at hand.

In reality, nearly 95% of Afghanistan’s population – particularly women – remains excluded from economic activity. The ILO has called for urgent steps to counter women’s severe exclusion, but a fundamental shift in policy and practice is needed to prioritize women’s rights and economic empowerment.

The Taliban’s return has rolled back gains made during the brief period of relative freedom, when Afghan women fought hard for their right to education, employment, and basic human dignity. External factors like the war in Iran and large-scale migrant returns are adding complexity and uncertainty to Afghanistan’s labor market. The ILO warns that these developments pose additional risks, including increased inflation, trade disruptions, and reduced remittance inflows – all of which disproportionately affect poorer households and informal workers.

The international community must take note of this report not just as a humanitarian crisis but also as an economic one. Afghanistan’s labor market is under siege, and the future of its people hangs in the balance. The ILO’s recommendations for increased investment in representative labor force data-gathering are crucial, but they should be seen as only the starting point for a broader effort to address systemic issues driving this crisis.

As the world watches with growing unease, one thing is clear: Afghanistan cannot afford another five years of stagnation. Collective action – from governments, international organizations, and civil society – is needed to support Afghan women’s economic empowerment and rebuild a labor market that serves all its people, not just a privileged few.

The future of Afghanistan’s economy will be shaped by the choices we make today. Will we stand idly by as millions of Afghans continue to struggle in poverty and unemployment? Or will we join forces to build a brighter future for this besieged nation? The answer is far from certain, but one thing is clear: it won’t be found in the shadows of exclusion and marginalization – only in the light of economic freedom and human rights.