The Kabul Tribune (KT) — UN Women Afghanistan said that only 17% of Afghan women returning from Iran and Pakistan are currently earning an income, highlighting major barriers to economic reintegration.
In a new report titled “After Return: Rebuilding Livelihoods
for Afghan Women,” the organization said many women and girls are forced to
return to Afghanistan without resources, assets or support, after abruptly
leaving their homes and livelihoods abroad.
The report noted that Afghanistan’s ongoing economic crisis
and limited opportunities for women have made it increasingly difficult for
returnees to rebuild their lives and gain financial independence.
According to the findings, lack of tools, equipment and
access to markets are among the key factors preventing women from earning an
income. The agency stressed that investing in such assets could significantly
improve livelihood opportunities.
While urgent humanitarian assistance remains critical, the
report emphasized the importance of long-term solutions, including access to livelihoods,
financial services and skills development.
Without such support, Afghan women returnees face heightened
risks of poverty, exploitation and harmful coping mechanisms, the report
warned.
The study also identified structural barriers to women’s economic
participation and offered evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving
their integration into the economy and strengthening social cohesion with host
communities.
