This white paper analyzes how extreme gender inequality in Afghanistan—what many women’s rights leaders around the world are referring to as “gender apartheid”—affects the broader society economically. It considers factors such as Afghan women’s severe exclusion from the workforce, the barriers that have been placed before women entrepreneurs, and the development impact for the country and region. The publication concludes with recommendations for policymakers, donors, and the private sector.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors appreciate the technical input from experts and staff who contributed to this publication:
- Dr. Karima Bennoune, University of Michigan
- Nader Nadery, Wilson Center
- Tom Wein, IDinsight Dignity Initiative
- Elise Young
- Prajolita Lamichhane
- Julie Noble
- Camille Richardson, Counterpart International
Cover art: Sulieman Hedayat
ABOUT COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL
Counterpart International partners with local organizations around the world to build inclusive, sustainable communities in which people thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it forges community-based partnerships between citizens, government, civil society, and the private sector in the areas of food security, democracy, rights and governance, women’s empowerment, and climate resiliency to develop the capacity of communities to shape their own destinies. Since 1965, Counterpart has operated in more than 65 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.