In the heart of Afghanistan, an economy is grappling, a society is reeling, and a nation is trying to find its footing amidst a new and draconian reality. The cause of this upheaval? A ban on women working. An edict issued by the Taliban, now back in power, has not only shattered the dreams and aspirations of countless Afghan women, but it has also sent seismic waves through the country’s already fragile economy.

Stephen Rodriguez, head of the Multinational People’s Financial Program for Afghanistan, provides a stark assessment of the situation. According to him, the ban on women working has caused a loss of between $600 million and $1 billion to the country’s economy, leading to a decrease in Afghanistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 3 to 5 percent. Echoing the sentiments of many economists and global observers, Rodriguez asserts that the Afghan economy, already weakened by decades of conflict and instability, has contracted by six years since August 2021.

As the international community watches with growing concern, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is mobilizing efforts to support Afghan women entrepreneurs. In partnership with the Japanese Embassy, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the European Union (EU), UNDP has launched a program aimed at facilitating the work of women, combatants, businessmen, and displaced people. The primary goal is to empower women, particularly small entrepreneurs and business owners, so they can contribute to the economy and reclaim their economic independence.

While the economic ramifications of the ban are palpable, the human cost is equally, if not more, devastating. The ban has not only hindered the operations of the UN and other international organizations in Afghanistan, but it has also disrupted the lives of millions of Afghan women, depriving them of their livelihoods and opportunities. For many women, the right to work is not just about economic survival, but also about dignity, autonomy, and empowerment. The ban has effectively stripped them of these rights, pushing them into the shadows of despair and dependency.