Pakistan, Aug. 18 -- Women's participation in Afghanistan's workforce has fallen to 5.1% under Taliban rule, according to the International Labour Organization. The figure represents less than one-third of the 2020 level. The decline has deepened women's exclusion from economic activity.

The ILO said female labour force participation dropped from 16.5% in 2020 to 5.1% in 2026. It called for measures to address what it described as severe exclusion. The said Afghanistan cannot develop a resilient labour market while excluding many women.

Read more: Afghan women find strength behind Taliban restrictions

The report attributed the decline to Taliban restrictions on women's education and employment. Afghanistan now has the world's second-lo...