AKIPRESS.COM - Many former female employees in government institutions have started their own businesses after losing their jobs and following the Taliban ban on women's employment in non-governmental organizations, TOLONews reported.

Several female students in Afghanistan have repeatedly stated that they have experienced mental and emotional problems as a result of the closure of girls' colleges and universities in the country.

Among those who worked before the Taliban came to power, many fled abroad in search of better opportunities, and those who could not are facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

The women asked the authorities to provide them the opportunity to return to their jobs in government and other institutions.

Sima is the only breadwinner for her eight-member family. She said she worked for the Academy of Sciences, but now she has started making Bolanis, a stuffed flat-bread, to afford the needs of her family.

Sima added that she has invested 10,000 Afs in her business.

"When the Islamic Emirate took over, I lost my job. I borrowed some money from relatives and began my small business to cope with life's hardships and afford house rent," she stated.

In the meantime, some other women said they are facing financial difficulties, calling on the Taliban government to remove the restrictions on women's employment in the country.

"They should allow women to work. I am the family's sole breadwinner. If I don't work, my children and family would starve,” said Basirah, a former employee of an institution.

"There are families who do not have breadwinners, and women are compelled to work,” said Maryam, another former employee.

Meanwhile, deputy minister of economy Abdul Latif Nazari said that the ministry will provide jobs to the youth, using infrastructure projects.

"The Islamic Emirate doesn't miss a chance to provide jobs for the young generation. By launching macroeconomic and infrastructural initiatives, we want to reduce poverty in society and provide jobs for the young generation,” Nazari added.

The Ministry of Economy suspended women's employment in non-governmental organizations in December 2022, but the issue has not yet been resolved.

Since the Taliban seized power in Kabul, the dire humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by an unprecedented nationwide economic, financial and humanitarian crisis.

The Taliban reportedly dismantled the system to respond to gender-based violence, created new barriers to women's access to health care, prevented female aid workers from doing their jobs, and attacked women's rights protesters.