Afghanistan Universities Face Closure Risk Amid Education Restrictions

DID Press: Dozens of universities across Afghanistan are at risk of closure due to declining student enrollment and shrinking academic staff numbers, particularly following restrictions on girls’ and women’s education, according to a new warning from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF reported that 40 of Afghanistan’s 129 universities are facing severe financial pressure after losing significant numbers of students and faculty members. The agency said the continued exclusion of girls and women from secondary and higher education has weakened the country’s higher education sector and threatens its long-term sustainability.

According to the report, restrictions on female education have significantly reduced universities’ revenue streams and academic capacity. UNICEF warned that the ongoing policy could undermine the future supply of qualified professionals in critical sectors such as healthcare and education.

The agency estimated that Afghanistan could lose around 600,000 skilled women from its workforce over the next 35 years if current restrictions remain in place. It also noted that the education ban has already contributed to a decline in the country’s gross domestic product and continues to limit opportunities for thousands of girls to enter professional careers.

UNICEF urged Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to lift restrictions on girls’ secondary and higher education, arguing that restoring access to schools and universities is essential to preventing a gradual collapse of the education system and addressing future shortages of skilled workers.

The warning comes as Afghanistan continues to grapple with multiple challenges, including economic hardship, unemployment, returning migrants, and growing demand for education and healthcare services.