The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that female participation in the Afghan workforce has drastically declined to only 5% since the Taliban seized control. This represents a significant drop from 16.5% in 2020 – less than a third of pre-Taliban levels. The ILO has expressed concern over the “severe exclusion” of women from the Afghan economy. Simultaneously, male employment has demonstrably increased, exacerbating the gender disparity. The report highlights a troubling trend of diminished opportunities for women, impacting their economic independence and overall well-being. The ILO is advocating for interventions to reverse this course and promote greater female involvement in Afghanistan’s labour force. These findings underscore the ongoing challenges faced by women in Afghanistan under the current regime.