The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Afghanistan could face a shortage of more than 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 if restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment continue, the United Nations Children’s Fund warned on Tuesday.

UNICEF said the ongoing restrictions are already depriving children of access to education and healthcare, while weakening the country’s economy and essential public services that rely on trained female professionals.

A new analysis by the agency, titled The Cost of Inaction on Girls’ Education and Women’s Labour Force Participation in Afghanistan, found that female representation in the civil service declined from 21 percent in 2023 to 17.7 percent in 2025.

More than one million girls have been denied their right to education since the Taliban banned secondary schooling for girls in September 2021. If the restrictions remain in place through 2030, over two million girls are expected to miss out on education beyond primary school.

“Afghanistan cannot afford to lose future teachers, nurses, doctors, midwives and social workers who sustain essential services,” said Catherine Russell. “This will be the reality if girls continue to be excluded from education.”