UN: Only 17pc of Afghan women returnees earn income

DID Press: UN Women has warned that only about 17 percent of Afghan women returning from Iran and Pakistan are currently able to earn an income, highlighting severe economic challenges facing returnees.

In a new report, the UN agency said the economic situation of women returning to Afghanistan remains deeply concerning, with the majority lacking access to stable employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.

According to the findings, fewer than one-fifth of returnee women have managed to secure a source of income sufficient to meet basic household needs.

The report identified major barriers including widespread labor market restrictions, shrinking economic opportunities, and difficult social conditions as key drivers of unemployment among this group.

It further noted that many women returning from neighboring countries face limited economic assistance, insufficient empowerment programs, and structural constraints in the job market—factors that have effectively pushed large numbers of them out of economic participation.

The United Nations warned that the continuation of this trend could trigger serious humanitarian and social consequences, including rising poverty levels, growing household debt, and increased food insecurity among returnee families struggling to afford essentials such as food, housing, and healthcare.