Afghan women need the world’s help

Funding should nurture the efforts of female-led, grassroots organisations to counter the Taliban’s restrictions.

More than three years have passed since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, a period marked by severe regression in the rights and livelihoods of Afghan women. The latest data shows that 80 per cent of Afghan women live in poverty, at least 1.4mn girls are not in school and female participation in the labour force stands at just 4.8 per cent. However, beneath the despair lies a remarkable resilience and potential — one that the international community must urgently nurture.

Afghan women have always been agents of change. Under the harshest conditions, women-led grassroots organisations — estimated by civil society observers to exceed several hundred active groups across all 34 provinces — are addressing critical needs in education, private enterprise and agriculture. Through our women-led civil society assembly, I meet monthly with about 50 of these groups, many of which now operate discreetly for safety. Even in adversity, Afghan women are carving out spaces for progress. The question is whether the world will step up to support their efforts.

The global response to the plight of Afghan women has been alarmingly inadequate. Large-scale funding often bypasses civil society NGOs and female-led organisations, favouring international entities with high overheads and limited reach on the ground. This must change. Empowering locals who already understand their communities’ needs is not just ethical — it is essential. These groups are the most capable of enacting grassroots reform.

Other practical steps can drive meaningful change. The international community must support Afghan women’s education. In rural areas, door-to-door literacy programmes enable women and girls to acquire basic reading and writing skills despite severe restrictions. Digital education offers an even greater opportunity. Artificial intelligence-driven tools can deliver personalised education directly into homes, effectively filling in the gaps created by the Taliban.

Afghan women’s economic empowerment must become a priority for the west. The Taliban has not banned women from running businesses, and licences are still issued for activities such as farming and crafts. However, logistical challenges and reduced customer bases hinder their growth. International grants and partnerships could help scale up these businesses, enabling women to sustain livelihoods and contribute to local economies.

Climate change also demands immediate focus. Droughts and resource scarcity have devastated livelihoods. Afghan women farmers require training in sustainable agricultural practices and access to climate-resilient technologies.

Equally important is fostering global connectivity. Afghan women must be equipped with digital tools to collaborate internationally and act as advocates for their rights. Online platforms can amplify their voices, turning isolation into opportunity.

While these steps are essential, governments and NGOs must continue to exert pressure on the Taliban to reverse its policies against Afghan women. The Taliban’s systematic erasure of women’s rights are an affront to human dignity. The global community cannot legitimise their actions, but neither can it afford to stand idly by, waiting for a miraculous solution. Advocacy and diplomatic pressure must persist, but they should be accompanied by immediate, pragmatic efforts to support Afghan women at the grassroots level. Policymakers and the media must engage directly with the women’s leaders and activists, ensuring their voices shape international strategies.

It is unacceptable that Afghan women bear the brunt of international failures. Yet they refuse to give up. They are not just surviving; they are finding ways to redefine their lives. Afghan women have not given up on their future. We must not give up on them.

This article was originally published by the Financial Times.