Afghanistan risks losing over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030

12 articles · Updated · UNICEF · Apr 27

UNICEF reports female civil service representation dropped from 21% to 17.7% between 2023 and 2025, with over a million girls denied secondary education since 2021.
The loss of women professionals threatens children's learning and health, with US$84 million in annual economic losses and severe impacts on maternal and child healthcare due to cultural barriers.
If restrictions persist, over two million girls will be deprived of education by 2030, compounding Afghanistan’s shortage of skilled female professionals and undermining the nation’s health, education, and economic prospects.

With female health workers vanishing, can Afghan women and children survive?

If 92% of Afghans support girls' education, who do the Taliban's policies serve?

As a generation of girls is denied education, what becomes of the nation's future?

With legal actions underway, why does 'gender apartheid' persist in Afghanistan?

How do underground schools and aid groups survive under the Taliban's strict watch?