Gendered Labor Rights Under Taliban Rule: Addressing Employment Inequality in Post-2021 Afghanistan
Abstract
The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, marked a pivotal moment in the nation's history and had profound implications for women's labor rights. This policy brief identifies the drastic reduction in women employment as a profound socioeconomic challenge, exacerbated by the de facto authority’s restrictive policies towards women in the workforce. The study uniquely focuses on the intersection of gender and labor rights after regime change, analyzing the growing barriers to women's employment, which not only undermines gender equality but also threatens the broader socioeconomic stability of Afghanistan. This study aims to propose practical policy recommendations that address these inequalities and advocate for international intervention to protect women's labor rights in Afghanistan. Author utilized qualitative analysis, drawing from diverse policy documents and reports, to understand Afghan women's lived experiences under the Taliban regime. Key findings reveal that the Taliban's governance post-2021 has led to significant setbacks in women's employment across various sectors, contributing to economic regression and deepening gender disparities. The brief urges for international financial support to women-led organizations and the promotion of online and home-based employment, alongside relocation programs and rigorous data monitoring for effective policymaking.
References
Afghanistan Crisis update: Women and Girls in Displacement | Factsheet II (2022). UNHCR Operational Data Portal (ODP). https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/95688
Afghanistan Law (2009). Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW), 1 August, 2009. Islamic Republic of Afghanistan https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2009/en/102513
Agüero, J. M., & Marks, M. (2008). Motherhood and Female Labor Force Participation: Evidence from Infertility Shocks. The American Economic Review, 98(2), 500–504. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.98.2.500
Ahmed‐Ghosh, H. (2003). A History of Women in Afghanistan: Lessons learned for the future or yesterdays and tomorrow: Women in Afghanistan. Journal of International Women's Studies, 4(3), 1–14. http://iiav.nl/ezines/web/JournalofInternationalWomensStudies/2003/Vol4Nr3May/Afghanistan.pdf
Akbari, F., & True, J. (2022). One year on from the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan: re-instituting gender apartheid. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 76(6), 624-633.
Basiriniya, A., & Ghanizada, S. (2022). Investigating Political, Social, Economic and Cultural Barriers Affecting the Political Presence of Women in Afghanistan Using Structural Equation Modeling. Journal of Subcontinent Researches, 14(42), 93-120.
Baumol, W. and Strom, R. (2007). Entrepreneurship and economic growth. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 1(3-4), pp. 233–237.
Bradshaw, S., Castellino, J., & Diop, B. (2017). Women's role in economic development: Overcoming the constraints. In Did the Millennium Development Goals Work? (pp. 191-216). Policy Press.
Brookings. (2022). Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/afghanistans-lessons-for-the-sustainable-development-goals-interview-with-naheed-sarabi/
Brunk, I. (2023). Central Bank Immunity, Sanctions, and Sovereign Wealth Funds. Geo. Wash. L. Rev., 91, 1616.
Chaniago, H. (2021). Demographic characteristics and small business success: Evidence from Indonesia. J. Asian Financ. Econ. Bus, 8, 399-409.
Chaniago, H., Muharam, H., & Efawati, Y. (2023). Metode Riset Bisnis dan Permodelan. Bandung: Edukasi Riset Digital, PT.
Chaniago, H., & Efawati, Y. (2024). Individual Innovative Behavior Model: The Role of Entrepreneurial Leadership in Uncertain Times. Quality-Access to Success, 25(202).
Cufadar, A., Dalla, V., & Attahi, M. N. (December, 2023). Two Years In Review: Changes in Afghan Economy, Households, and Cross-Cutting Sectors (August 2021 to August 2023). United Nations Development Program. https://www.undp.org/afghanistan/publications/two-years-review
Duflo, E. (2012). Women empowerment and economic development. Journal of Economic Literature, 50(4), 1051–1079. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.50.4.1051
Efawati, Y. (2020). The influence of working conditions, workability and leadership on employee performance. International Journal Administration, Business & Organization, 1(3), 8-15. https://doi.org/10.61242/ijabo.20.40
Faria, G. (2022). Women's rights: A year after the Taliban takeover. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-women-rights-taliban-freedoms/32024050.html
Faridi, M. Z., Chaudhry, I. S., & Anwar, M. A. (2009). The Socioeconomic and Demographic Determinants of Women Work Participation in Pakistan: Evidence from Bahawalpur District. RePEc: Research Papers in Economics. http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/csas/PDF/12-Mumtaz%20Anwar.pdf
Ferris-Rotman, A. (2013). The long haul. Foreign Policy, (202), 35.
Gaddis, I., & Klasen, S. (2014). Economic development, structural change, and women's labor force participation: A reexamination of the feminization U hypothesis. Journal of Population Economics, 27(3), 639-681. doi. 10.1007/s00148-013-0488-2
Ghufran, N. (2001). The Taliban And The Civil War Entanglement In Afghanistan. Asian Survey, 41(3), 462–487. https://doi.org/10.1525/as.2001.41.3.462
Gibbs, A., Jewkes, R., Karim, F., Marofi, F., & Corboz, J. (2018). Understanding how Afghan women utilize a gender transformative and economic empowerment intervention: a qualitative study. Global public health, 13(11), 1702-1712.
Hakimzai, S. N., & Aa. (2022). Analyzing female labor force participation in Afghanistan: Panel data approach. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369708209
Hanifi, M. J. (2012, April 18). Causes and consequences of the destabilization of Afghanistan. Middle East Institute. Retrieved April 18, 2012, from https://www.mei.edu/publications/causes-and-consequences-destabilization-afghanistan
Hashim, I. (1999). Reconciling Islam and Feminism. Gender and Development. 7 (1): 7-14.
Janin, H., & Kahlmeyer, A. (2007). Islamic Law: The Sharia from Muhammad's Time to the Present. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA90819797
Kaci, Y. A. (2015). Universal Declaration of Human Rights . United Nations. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/815442/files/human-rights-booklet.pdf
Laub, Z. (2017, May 1). The US war in Afghanistan. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-war-afghanistan
Mannell, J., Grewal, G., Ahmad, L., & Ahmad, A. (2021). A qualitative study of women's lived experiences of conflict and domestic violence in Afghanistan. Violence against women, 27(11), 1862-1878.
Masih, Z. (2021). Female Labour Force Participation In Afghanistan: Changes, Economic Activities and Determinants. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.18193.40802
Mendonca, S. P. (2021, August 17). 10 rules women had to follow under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 1996. International Business Times, Singapore Edition. https://www.ibtimes.sg/10-rules-women-had-follow-under-taliban-regime-afghanistan-1996-59671
Mincer, J. (1962). Labor Force participation of Married Women: A study of Labor Supply. https://econpapers.repec.org/bookchap/nbrnberch/0603.htm
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2015). Afghanistan’s NAP on Women, Peace, and Security Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Human Rights and Women’s International Affairs. https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/wps-afghanistan_national_action_plan_1325_0.pdf
Mohammadinia, M. Z. (2021). Female Labour Force Participation In Afghanistan: Changes, Economic Activities And Determinants (Doctoral dissertation, South Asian University).
Monthly forecast December. (2023). Security Council Report. (n.d.). https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly_forecast/2023-12
Myatt, T. M. (2015). A qualitative study of successful women entrepreneurs: developing a model for war-torn Afghanistan. Fielding Graduate University.
Nehan, N. (2022). The rise and fall of women's rights in Afghanistan. LSE Public Policy Review, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.31389/lseppr.59
North, D. (1990). Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. New York NY: Cambridge University Press.
Nuraini, A., Chaniago, H., & Efawati, Y. (2024). Digital Behavior and Impact on Employee Performance: Evidence from Indonesia. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 19(3), 15-27.
Safi, L. (2024). Review of Afghanistan's development pattern from 2001 to 2021: a relative lack of sustainability, inclusiveness, and prosperity. Journal of Social and Economic Development, 26(1), 333-352.
Scott, W. (2007). Institutions and organizations: Ideas and interests. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smallbone, D. and Welter, F. (2012). Entrepreneurship and institutional change in transition economies: The Commonwealth of Independent States, Central and Eastern Europe and China compared. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 24(3-4), pp. 215-233.
Taasim, S., & Daud, A. (2020). The Effect of Gender Unemployment on Economic Growth: A Panel Data Analysis. Journal of Business and Economics Review, 5, 94-103. https://doi.org/10.35609/jber.2020.5.3(3)
Taylor, A. M. (2022). The Relationship Between Women's Education, Women's Employment, Gender Development, and Gender Inequality: A Case Study of Afghanistan, 2000-2019 (master's thesis).
The Sustainable Development Goals Report. (2023). In The Sustainable Development Goals report. Special Edition. https://doi.org/10.18356/9789210024914
UN Women. (2007). National action plan for the women of Afghanistan (2007-2017). Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
UN Women. (2021). Women's rights in Afghanistan one year after the Taliban takeover. UN Women – Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2022/08/gender-alert-no-2-womens-rights-in-afghanistan-one-year-after-the-taliban-take-over
UN Women. (2022). Promoting The Recruitment And Retention Of Women Humanitarian Workers In Afghanistan; https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/af-Women-Humanitarian-Workers-Study.pdf
UN Women. (2023). Afghan Women's Voices – Summary report of countrywide women's consultations. Asia-Pacific. https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/03/afghan-women-voices
UN. (2022). United Nations and top aid officials slam Afghan rulers' NGO ban for women. UN News. https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/12/1132082
UN. (2023). United Nations. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/03/afghanistan-un-experts-say-20-years-progress-women-and-girls-rights-erased
United Nations Statistics Division. (2023). Progress Chart — SDG Indicators. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/progress-chart/
Uygun, H., & Gujrati, R. (2022). Protect Labour Rights and Promote Safe Working environment. Journal of Pedagogical Inventions and Practices, 8, 9-15.
Welter, F., & Smallbone, D. (2011). Institutional perspectives on entrepreneurial behavior in challenging environments. Journal of small business management, 49 (1), 107-125.
World Bank Group (2023), "Women, Business and the Law." URL https://wbl.worldbank. org/en/wbl.
World Bank. (2014). Women's role in Afghanistan's future - taking stock of achievements and continued challenges. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/813391468184173017/womens-role-in-afghanistans-future-taking-stock-of-achievements-and-continued-challenges
World Bank. (2021, April 5). Afghanistan Development update, April 2021: Setting course to recovery. World Bank Group. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35363
Zhou, J., Ghiasy, R., & Hallgren, H. (2015). Afghanistan's Private Sector: Nexus with Security, Status, and Ways Forward. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313359342_Afghanistan%27s_Private_Sector_Nexus_with_Security_Status_and_Ways_Forward
Copyright (c) 2024 Adila Haidari
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright Notice
Authors retain copyright to their articles, excluding any third-party images and other material that are subject to copyright by their respective owners.
By submitting the manuscript to the International Journal Administration, Business & Organization (IJABO), the author agrees to this policy. No special document approval is required.
- All the author(s) agree the above article for publication in the Journal «International Journal Administration, Business & Organization (IJABO)».
- The above-mentioned article is the author(s)’ original work and has not been published before and is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
- All the author(s) agree with the journal’s «International Journal Administration, Business & Organization (IJABO)»
- The Article was not submitted for review to another journal while under review by this journal and will not be submitted to any other journal.
- I/we have given final approval of the submitted manuscript.
- The Article contain no libelous or other unlawful statements and do not contain any materials that violate any personal or proprietary rights of any other person or entity.
- The author(s) no conflict of interest that may affect the integrity and the validity of the findings presented in it.
- I/we have obtained written permission from copyright owners for any excerpts from copyrighted works that are included and have credited the sources in the Article.
- If I/we am using any personal details or images of patients, research subjects or other individuals, I have obtained all consents required by applicable law and complied with the publisher’s policies relating to the use of such images or personal information.
- All Authors are aware that they can deposit (self-archive) (a) submitted article, (b) accepted for publication article or (c) the final published version of the article in any suitable source (e.g., institutional or other specialized repositories, personal websites, etc.) without embargo period. In case of self-archiving authors should also acknowledge the Publisher and the Publication and deposit an URL to the article (if available).
Licence
International Journal Administration, Business & Organization (IJABO) is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution- ShareAlike 4.0 Internasional license (CC BY-SA 4.0). This license permits anyone to:.
Sharing - copy and redistribute this material in any form or format;
Adaptation - modify, modify, and make derivative works of this material for any purpose.
Attribution - You must include the appropriate name, include a link to the license, and state that changes have been made. You may do this in a manner that is appropriate, but not implying that the licensor endorses you or your use.
Share Alike - If you compose, modify, or make derivative works of this material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original material.
