The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says more than 75 precent of Afghanistan’s population is facing livelihood insecurity, with female-headed households among the most affected.
In a new report, the agency said only about 7 precent of women in Afghanistan are employed and that 88 precent of female-headed households lack access to basic needs.
Since returning to power, the Taliban have imposed policies restricting women’s access to education and employment. As poverty has spread across Afghanistan, the ban on women’s work has placed female-headed households under increasing economic strain.
Experts have repeatedly warned that Taliban restrictions on women’s education and employment threaten their future and undermine long-term economic stability.
In late 2025, the UN Security Council said Taliban policies affecting women cost Afghanistan’s economy more than $1 billion annually.
In its report, the council described the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan as “dire,” noting that eight out of ten Afghan women are deprived of education, employment and vocational training opportunities.
