Afghanistan ranks second worst globally in gender inequality, says UN study

Nearly 80% of young women in Afghanistan are cut off from access to education, jobs, and vocational training, a new UN report reveals.

According to data from UN Women, highlighted by Caliber.Az, these findings are part of the 2024 Gender Equality Index — the most thorough analysis of gender issues in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power.

The report paints a stark picture, placing Afghanistan second globally for gender inequality. Afghan women currently achieve only 17% of their full potential, compared to the global average of 60.7%.

The divide between men and women spans crucial areas such as health, education, financial inclusion, and participation in decision-making, with disparities reaching as high as 76%.

The study further highlights a troubling trend: young Afghan women who are neither employed nor enrolled in any form of education outnumber their male counterparts by nearly four times.

School completion rates for girls are plunging sharply, driven by ongoing bans on education, including restrictions on medical training.

Employment opportunities for women remain critically limited. Only 24% of women participate in the workforce, a stark contrast to 89% of men.

Those who do work often find themselves confined to low-paid or precarious jobs, while the bulk of their time is devoted to unpaid domestic responsibilities.

By Tamilla Hasanova