UN warns again on women’s restrictions in Afghanistan

Written By: Tabasum Nasiry

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office, referring to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women, after the rise of the Taliban, emphasized that according to their estimates, restrictions on women alone will result in an economic loss ranging from $600 million to $1 billion.

Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and the regional head of the organization’s development program in Asia and the Pacific, published this report on Wednesday, December 20.

She emphasized that “we are focusing on direct support for women-owned businesses, job creation, essential social services, renewable energy, and risk management to sustain local economies, ensure food and energy security, improve people’s well-being, and protect them from disasters.”

According to the organization’s statistics, Afghan citizens are facing extreme hardships. Nearly 85% live on less than one dollar a day, and Afghanistan’s real Gross Domestic Product has decreased by 29% from 2020 to date and continues its downward trend.

The report states that “the situation has significantly worsened after August 2021, especially for women who now face severe restrictions that deprive them of education and most jobs.”

This United Nations official, while referring to the organization’s assistance to earthquake victims in Herat province, added that the United Nations actively supports women-led businesses and needs more support to continue this trend.

According to this organization, the situation in Afghanistan, especially for women, is dire, and the global community must not forget to “preserve their visibility, strengthen their voice, and reinforce hope” for Afghan women to continue their struggle.

Wignaraja adds that the “women for women” approach, which equips women with professional skills and financial knowledge to create jobs and employ other women, is a way to stand with and support Afghan women in their fight and provide them with tools.

Women and girls have faced restrictions in various aspects of life, including education, work, and social and political activities in the past two years following the rise of the Taliban regime, and this trend continues.

The United Nations Development Program’s regional head in Asia and the Pacific also mentioned that before August 2021, Afghanistan relied on foreign aid for 75% of its public expenses, and the budget allocated to this country is currently stagnant.

While human rights organizations have always emphasized the importance of women’s rights in Afghanistan, Wignaraja adds, “We must ensure that Afghan women and girls are not punished twice. The Herat earthquake was a convincing example of how social restrictions and financial obstacles can put women in risky situations – many of those who lost their lives were women who were at home.”

Previously, several development and economic organizations had also warned about the negative effects of restrictions on women, especially on the country’s economy.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also stated in a report that Afghanistan is estimated to lose one billion dollars due to restrictions on women’s work.

According to their statistics, they have helped reopen at least 34,000 women-owned businesses, but they have not yet reached their ultimate goal of 54,000.

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