Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The World Food Program (WFP) reports that earning opportunities for women in Afghanistan have become increasingly difficult over time.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban, women have been banned from many jobs and barred from working in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or receiving education beyond the sixth grade for the past three years.
On Friday, November 8, the WFP released a video that highlights the hardships Afghan women face in earning an income.
The video features a woman who, along with her sisters, has started a home-based bakery to support her family and provides bread to 2,000 children attending schools supported by the WFP.
The ban on employment and exclusion from education has placed immense economic pressure on Afghan families. Women are struggling with multiple challenges as they try to make ends meet in a country where opportunities for them are severely limited.
The increasing marginalization of women in Afghanistan is contributing to a dire humanitarian crisis. With their access to education and employment restricted, many women are forced into vulnerable positions.
The WFP’s video highlights not only the resilience of Afghan women but also the severe limitations placed upon them as they fight for survival.
As women are forced into a corner by the Taliban’s policies, issues like forced and underage marriage have become more prevalent. Families, struggling with poverty and the lack of opportunities, may see marriage as a way to alleviate economic hardship, further undermining the rights and future prospects of young girls in Afghanistan.
The ongoing violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan amid a dire economic and humanitarian crisis continues to deepen the country’s gender inequality. With no immediate prospects for change, the situation for women in Afghanistan remains bleak, as they face systematic exclusion and growing poverty, while the international community’s support for their rights and welfare remains critical.