The Taliban's systematic rollback of rights has prohibited more than 2.6 million adolescent girls from attending secondary education and completely blocked women from working for the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. Survey findings from UN Women show that nearly three-quarters of women feel unsafe outside without an accompanying male guardian. At the same time, a joint report reveals that 53 percent of primary school-age children in Afghanistan are currently outside the formal educational system.
Key points
The Taliban broken initial promises regarding work and study by issuing more than 100 dec…: The Taliban broken initial promises regarding work and study by issuing more than 100 decrees targeting women.
Severe restrictions on employment prevent Afghan women from working for the United Nation…: Severe restrictions on employment prevent Afghan women from working for the United Nations as well as non-governmental organizations.
Early childhood development is virtually non-existent, with fewer than one in 100 childre…: Early childhood development is virtually non-existent, with fewer than one in 100 children aged three to four enrolled in programs.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
They promised girls the right to study up to university level, women the freedom to work and an Afghanistan where their rights would be protected.
Five years after returning to power, the Taliban's promises lie in stark contrast with the reality. More than 2.6 million adolescent girls have been denied secondary education since 2021, women remain barred from universities, and 53 per cent of Afghanistan's primary school-age children are now outside formal education.
A joint report by UNESCO and UNICEF, titled Afghanistan Education Situation Report 2026, raised concerns over the deteriorating quality of education in the country. Citing a national assessment of more than 55,000 Grade 4 students across all 34 provinces, the report found that fewer than half had achieved minimum proficiency in language at the Grade 3 level, while only one in four met the corresponding proficiency level in mathematics.
It further found that fewer than one in 100 children aged three to four participate in early childhood education programmes.
The Taliban's return to power came amid the withdrawal of US and Nato forces after nearly 20 years…
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