The Evolution Of Afghanistan: A Nation In Transition

Afghanistan has undergone a series of changes since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The country's economy has deteriorated, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. The Taliban has cracked down on women's rights, prohibiting most girls from attending secondary school and banning all women from working and teaching at universities. The Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law has also led to intimidation, public beatings, and executions. However, there have been some positive changes, such as the inclusion of women in professional life and improvements in education and healthcare access. The future of Afghanistan remains uncertain, with the Taliban struggling to govern effectively and provide for its citizens' basic needs.

Women's rights

Education

The Taliban have banned girls from attending secondary schools and forbidden women from attending universities. In December 2022, women were also banned from studying. There are some courses that continue via online teaching, but female students are not permitted to take the examinations. Without education, girls face a higher risk of being exploited, maltreated or married off early.

Employment

The Taliban have prohibited most women from working. Women have been banned from working in the public sector, except in areas such as healthcare and primary education. In April 2022, the ban on women working outside the home was extended to include jobs with the UN. In December 2022, the Taliban prohibited women from working at local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The loss of employment for women has pushed many families deeper into poverty.

Freedom of movement

The Taliban have restricted women's freedom of movement. Women are not allowed to move around in public space unless they are accompanied by a male relative classed as a mahram. In general, they are only allowed to leave their house for urgent matters and must wear full veils if they do.

Dress code

The Taliban have imposed a strict dress code on women. Women who flout the dress code put their male relatives at risk of imprisonment. Presenters on TV news programmes have to wear a full veil during the broadcast.

Forced marriage

The Taliban have been accused of forcing families to give them their unmarried daughters as brides. Families are also marrying off their daughters early as a form of protection, to avoid them being forced to marry a Taliban fighter.

Violence against women

There are almost no contact points now for survivors of sexualised violence to turn to. The nationwide system of support built up by women’s rights activists in the previous 20 years has almost completely collapsed. Staff of organisations offering protection and advice are subject to threats and often have to work undercover.

Political participation

With the help of a quota regulation, before the Taliban regime took power, women formed 27% of Members of Parliament in Afghanistan. Now there is not a single woman as a minister in the new Afghan government.

Education

Historical Context

The emergence of modern education in Afghanistan can be traced back to the early 20th century, with efforts made towards social integration and national development. Amir Habibullah founded Habibia Lycee in 1903, which later adopted the curriculum of British Indian high schools. This period also saw advancements in social literacy, newsprint, libraries, and public discourse. The country's first teacher training college, Dar-al-Malimin, was established in Kabul in 1912, and the Department of Education was established in 1913.

Progress and Setbacks

After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996, they imposed strict restrictions on girls' education. However, since their ousting in 2001, significant progress has been made. The number of students in schools increased from 1.2 million in 2001 to 8.2 million in 2013, including 3.2 million girls. The literacy rate also improved, rising from 8% in 2001 to 43% in 2021. Additionally, the proportion of girls attending school increased from 6% in 2003 to 39% in 2017. By 2021, a third of university students were women.

Taliban Takeover in 2021

Despite these gains, the Taliban takeover in August 2021 dealt a significant blow to girls' education. The Taliban banned girls from secondary education and, in December 2022, prohibited university education for females across Afghanistan, sparking protests and international condemnation. This move has had a devastating impact on the advancement of girls and women in the country.

Current Challenges and Efforts

The education system in Afghanistan continues to face challenges, including a shortage of schools and teachers, lack of infrastructure, and deep-rooted cultural norms that hinder girls' enrolment. However, organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF are working tirelessly to support education in the country. They are advocating for girls' education, providing community-based literacy classes, developing teacher training programs, and exploring alternative learning solutions, such as distance learning and community-based schools.

Way Forward

To move forward, it is crucial to address the fragmentation of the Taliban's policies on education and exploit these differences to extend education access throughout the country. Additionally, reconsidering frozen aid and finding creative approaches to providing financial support for educators and the education system are essential. A multi-pronged approach, including expanding community-based education, utilizing technology, and cultivating distance learning, can help improve access to education, especially for girls.

Infrastructure

Energy Infrastructure

For nearly three decades, the availability of secure energy supplies in Afghanistan was disrupted by conflict, with much of the country's power infrastructure destroyed. As a result, over 90% of the population had no access to electricity. However, with the support of the Asian Development Bank and the Indian government, electricity was restored to Kabul in 2009, benefiting the majority of the city's 4 million residents. The United States has also played a significant role in developing new electricity generation capacity and providing 24-hour power to key cities. Major projects include the refurbishment of the Kajaki Dam and the opening of the Kabul power plant.

Transportation Infrastructure

Afghanistan's transportation infrastructure has also undergone substantial changes. The restoration of the "Ring Road," connecting major cities, has been a notable development. By 2009, the 2,100-km Ring Road was nearly complete, significantly improving trade and travel times. Additionally, construction and rehabilitation of provincial roads have been ongoing, although the majority of roads remain unpaved. USAID has been a key contributor, constructing or improving approximately 40% of Afghanistan's roads since 2001.

Water Infrastructure

Access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation services has been a critical issue in Afghanistan. USAID has made significant strides in this area, providing clean drinking water to 800,000 Afghans and improving sanitation services for 1.2 million people across 27 provinces.

Communication Infrastructure

Communication infrastructure has also evolved, with the expansion of cellular networks being a notable development. As of 2011, approximately 85% of Afghans had access to cellular networks, compared to a minuscule number a decade earlier. This has had a profound impact on financial inclusion, with initiatives enabling payments through mobile phones.

Future Prospects and Challenges

While Afghanistan has made remarkable infrastructure progress, challenges remain. The World Bank emphasizes the need for strategic investments in irrigation infrastructure, land tenure security, research, and market access to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience. Additionally, the country's long-term growth prospects hinge on a shift from reliance on international aid to a private sector-led economy, leveraging its strengths in agriculture and extractive sectors.

Economy

Afghanistan's economy is the 155th largest in the world in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and 137th in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). The country's GDP stands at $6.81 billion as of 2024, with a GDP per capita of $200. The economy is largely driven by agriculture, mining, and exports of agricultural, mineral, and textile products.

The Afghan economy has faced significant challenges in recent years, with a severe drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, declining international aid, and the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The country experienced a sharp economic contraction in 2021, with a decline in public spending, household incomes, and consumption, leading to a fall in aggregate demand. The Taliban's policies and the loss of access to the international banking system further disrupted economic activities.

However, there are some signs of stabilization and resilience. Exports have increased, exchange rate volatility has reduced, and domestic revenue collection remains healthy. The Afghan currency's exchange rate has also bounced back. The improvement in security and the reduction in corruption at road checkpoints have benefited businesses and individuals.

The World Bank and other international organizations have provided humanitarian support and off-budget aid for basic services, helping to cushion the economic decline. However, the economy remains much smaller than before, and the outlook remains uncertain. Poverty and unemployment are expected to increase, and the country faces structural deficiencies in the private sector and a lack of international support.

The key to Afghanistan's long-term growth lies in shifting from reliance on international aid to a resilient, private sector-led economy, leveraging its strengths in agriculture and extractive sectors. Strategic investments in infrastructure, human capital, and institutional frameworks are necessary to create a conducive business environment and reduce poverty.

The country's economic future also depends on the Taliban's ability to implement responsible macroeconomic policies, improve transparency, and address restrictive gender policies that hinder economic participation.

Healthcare

Afghanistan's healthcare system has been in a dire state for many years, largely due to the country's political instability and decades of war. The situation has been exacerbated by the Taliban takeover in 2021, which resulted in a sharp reduction in financial and technical support for the country's public health system.

Pre-2021

Afghanistan's healthcare system has been in a state of flux for decades. The country's health indices are among the worst in the world, with high rates of infectious diseases, malnutrition, physical trauma, and human rights abuses. The country also has a shortage of qualified healthcare workers, with many doctors and nurses having fled the country during periods of conflict.

Despite these challenges, there have been some improvements in recent years. From 2001 to 2021, life expectancy increased from 56 to 64 years, and the maternal mortality rate decreased by 50%. The number of health facilities has also increased, with over 3,000 health facilities and more than 17,000 health posts established in the country.

However, the system remains poor compared to neighbouring countries. Many Afghans seek medical treatment abroad, and user fees have been a major deterrent to accessing healthcare for those who remain. The country also faces challenges such as poor infrastructure, economic instability, and a lack of coordination among healthcare providers.

Post-2021

The Taliban takeover in 2021 has had a devastating impact on Afghanistan's healthcare system. The World Bank and other donor countries and institutions cut development funding, including for health, causing a shock to the economy and the public health system. Many Afghan healthcare professionals left the country or quit their jobs, and humanitarian aid organizations have struggled to fill the gap.

The Taliban's restrictions on women's freedom of movement and employment have also gravely impeded women's and girls' access to health services. The ban on girls' education will further contribute to the shortage of female healthcare workers in the country.

The situation has been further exacerbated by natural disasters, including earthquakes, drought, and flash floods, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's health system has been unable to respond effectively to these crises, and the lack of international support has left millions of Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance.

Current State

Afghanistan's healthcare system is currently on the brink of collapse, with urgent action needed to sustain the delivery of essential services. The Sehatmandi programme, which provides primary healthcare services to millions of people, has lost major funding since the Taliban takeover. Staff in health facilities have gone months without salaries, and there are shortages of medicine and supplies.

The population is also suffering from acute food insecurity, with nearly 19 million people affected as of September and October 2021. All the progress made in recent years in terms of health outcomes may be lost, and there are concerns that many health indicators, particularly among women, children, and other vulnerable groups, will deteriorate.

Future Outlook

The future of Afghanistan's healthcare system depends on finding alternative sources of funding and support. The international community has a responsibility to collaborate with the people of Afghanistan and support efforts to ensure equal access to healthcare for all. Increased allocation of domestic resources to health services is also key to ensuring the sustainability of the country's health system.

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