KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says Afghanistan risks losing up to 20,000 female teachers and 5,400 healthcare workers by 2030 as restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment continue.
In a statement, UNICEF said women’s representation in Afghanistan’s civil service declined from 21 percent to 17.7 percent between 2023 and 2025.
It warned that the declining number of trained female professionals in schools and hospitals would severely affect children’s education, health outcomes and future opportunities.
The statement noted that the situation was already depriving some children of access to education and healthcare, while also weakening the country’s economy and basic services.
It added that Afghanistan faces a dual crisis: losing trained female professionals while preventing the next generation from replacing them. As experienced women retire or leave, girls are barred from continuing their education and entering these roles. Each year of delay costs Afghanistan another generation of skilled professionals.
UNICEF warned that if current restrictions continue, the country could lose around 20,000 female teachers and more than 5,000 female health workers by 2030.
It said that since the ban on girls’ education beyond grade six in 2021, more than one million girls have been excluded from school and this figure could exceed two million if restrictions persist.
UNICEF stressed that a decline in female health workers would significantly limit women’s and children’s access to healthcare services, particularly maternal and child care.
It called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to lift restrictions on secondary education for girls.
hz/kk
