UN says over 18,000 women entrepreneurs supported in Afghanistan in 2025

The United Nations in Afghanistan said it supported 18,616 women entrepreneurs in 2025, aiming to boost female participation in economic activity.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, the UN said the support helped strengthen women’s engagement through small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.

The organisation said such initiatives are critical in sustaining livelihoods as women face widespread restrictions on work and mobility.

The UN also noted that more than 34 million people in Afghanistan have been reached through humanitarian programmes.

It added that over 4.6 million children have been enrolled in schools with UN support, alongside the creation of around 45,000 long-term jobs.

The UN has repeatedly warned that the continued ban on secondary education for girls remains the most significant structural barrier to equitable human capital development in Afghanistan.

Restrictions imposed after the Taliban takeover have limited women’s access to education, employment and public life. Afghanistan continues to face a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, with millions relying on aid amid high unemployment and declining incomes.

Women-led businesses have emerged as a key coping mechanism for many households despite regulatory and social constraints.

The international community, including UN agencies, has focused on targeted programmes to support women and vulnerable groups while navigating restrictions imposed by authorities.

Despite restrictions, the UN says continued support for women entrepreneurs remains vital to sustaining economic resilience and promoting inclusive recovery in Afghanistan.

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