Stephen Rodriguez, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative in Afghanistan, has stated that Afghanistan will not experience growth as long as half of its population (women and girls) is excluded from economic activities.
Mr. Rodriguez made these remarks today (Wednesday, December 10) on the occasion of Human Rights Day, warning that depriving Afghan women and girls of their rights will have negative consequences for the country’s future.
He further emphasized that removing women and girls from the labor market directly impacts Afghanistan’s economic future.
He added: “Excluding women from work could reduce Afghanistan’s GDP by around one billion dollars between 2024 and 2026.”
Stephen Rodriguez made these comments while the current authorities, since taking control of Afghanistan, have banned women and girls from education and schooling. In their latest restriction, they closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls—even as the health sector across Afghanistan faces a shortage of personnel.
This action by the current authorities has left millions of female students unable to pursue education.
In addition, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a mahram, and working in national and international NGOs, as well as even at United Nations offices inside Afghanistan.
