Afghanistan Peace CampaignAfghanistan Analysts Network
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The erosion of women’s role in the civil service is all the more glaring because it has come at the same as male employment rose, the result of an Emirate hiring spree after they took power. This means that while women once made up 26 per cent of the civil service in 2020, by 2026 this had dropped to 16 per cent. This is part of an Emirate drive to remove female employees, except those in “essential services” such as health and education. This was always where most women were employed — particularly as teachers — which means tens of thousands of women still remain in the public sector, most of them working as primary school teachers. Other ministries, such as Higher Education, which once employed thousands of female professors, have been particularly aggressive in their dismissals.
This report analyses the gender trends in civil service employment and it hears from the women who have been employed, as well as those who still are working in this sector. For those who have been sacked, across a range of professions, the impacts can be financially devastating for their families. We heard about families having to move house, borrow money or ration food. The women also speak of deep psychological harms. “Sometimes,” said one, “I feel like I’m a totally useless person who is of no benefit to my family, children, or society.”
For those still working, the most fortunate were already stationed in a relatively segregated context, so for them, the changes are not so significant. For others, though, who have faced demotions, or have been forced into less paid work or jobs involving difficult commutes or conditions, it has been a bruising experience, both financially and mentally.
The interviews show a pervasive sense of insecurity, particularly given the harsh economic climate and the wider challenges for women in the labour force. This means most are forced to be pragmatic about taking whatever work they can get. For example, one interviewee who spent years as a senior police officer with command responsibility is now a body checker at gates and check posts. “Our work is hard, our pay is low,” she said: “we do the work because we have to. But still, we are happy that at least we have a job.”
Edited by Roxanna Shapour and Jelena Bjelica
You can preview the report online and download it by clicking here or the download button below.