Afghanistan could face a shortage of more than 25,000 female teachers and healthcare workers by 2030 if restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment continue, UNICEF warned on Tuesday.

In a new report, UNICEF said ongoing bans on girls’ secondary education and limits on women’s participation in the workforce are already damaging the country’s education and health sectors, while also weakening the broader economy.

The report, 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 to 17.7 percent between 2023 and 2025.

According to UNICEF, more than one million girls have been denied access to secondary education since authorities imposed the ban in September 2021.

If restrictions remain in place until 2030, more than two million girls could be deprived of education beyond primary school in a country that already has one of the world’s lowest female literacy rates, the report stated.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said Afghanistan cannot afford to lose future teachers, nurses, doctors, midwives and social workers who are essential to public services.

She urged the authorities to lift the ban on girls’ secondary education and called on the international community to continue supporting Afghan girls’ right to learn.

Education and Health Systems Under Pressure

UNICEF warned that Afghanistan faces a dual challenge: losing trained female professionals while preventing the next generation from qualifying to replace them.

By 2030, the country could lose as many as 20,000 women teachers and 5,400 female healthcare workers, according to the analysis.

The education system is already showing signs of strain. The number of female teachers in basic education fell by more than nine percent, from nearly 73,000 in 2022 to around 66,000 in 2024.

The agency said this decline could hurt school attendance and learning outcomes, particularly for girls, who are more likely to remain in school when female teachers are present.

Risks to Healthcare and Economy

UNICEF also warned that shortages of female health workers could have serious consequences for maternal, newborn and child healthcare, especially in communities where cultural norms limit treatment by male staff.

The report estimated that restrictions on women’s education and employment are costing Afghanistan around $84 million each year in lost economic output, with losses expected to rise if current policies remain unchanged.

Ongoing Support

Despite the challenges, UNICEF said it continues to support education across Afghanistan.

In 2025, more than 3.7 million children in public schools received emergency assistance, while 442,000 children benefited from community-based learning programmes, 66 percent of them girls.

The agency also reported building or rehabilitating 232 schools across the country.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov has arrived in Kabul on an official visit for high-level discussions with Afghan authorities.

According to the ministry, Kabulov is scheduled to meet on Tuesday with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as well as other senior officials of the Islamic Emirate.

The talks are expected to cover a range of important issues, including political relations, economic cooperation, regional developments, trade, and other matters of mutual interest between Afghanistan and Russia.

The visit comes as both countries continue efforts to deepen bilateral ties and broaden cooperation in areas such as diplomacy, investment, infrastructure, and regional security.

Russia has maintained diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan in recent years and has signaled interest in expanding economic partnerships and practical cooperation with Kabul.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education says a rocket attack allegedly launched from Pakistan struck Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University in Kunar province, injuring dozens of students and lecturers and causing major damage to campus facilities.

In a statement, the ministry said approximately 30 students and academic staff members were wounded in the attack, while several university buildings and infrastructure were extensively damaged.

Higher Education Minister Nida Mohammad Nadim strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “cowardly and brutal act”. He said it violated Islamic values and international principles.

The ministry described the strike as an attack on education, knowledge and the country’s future, and urged international organizations not to remain silent over the incident.

Officials said the minister had ordered that all injured students and staff be transferred immediately to medical centers for treatment.

The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting educational institutions and maintaining the security of universities and academic centers across Afghanistan.