Dismissed from Work and an Uncertain Future: Accounts of Laid-off Employees after the Taliban’s Return

KABUL — The return of the Taliban to power in August 2021 precipitated sweeping changes across Afghanistan’s public sector, leaving thousands of former government employees unemployed. Many of those dismissed—especially women—now face acute economic hardship and mounting psychological pressure, according to interviews conducted by Radio Azadi with several former civil servants and professionals.

A 28-year-old woman from Kabul who worked at the Ministry of Finance until she was dismissed by the Taliban roughly three years ago described the personal and familial toll of losing her job. She declined to be named for this report. As the sole breadwinner for a nine-member household, she said being confined to the home has not only inflicted severe emotional strain but has also pushed the family into financial crisis.

"Women who used to work and support themselves through their income are now facing many difficulties due to the ban on women's work by the Taliban," she told Radio Azadi. "This situation is problematic not only for women, but for society as a whole. A woman who was the sole breadwinner and now sits at home faces many challenges. Lack of income pushes us into depression and despair day by day. We must be allowed to work, because we have worked and studied for years to solve our financial problems without needing others."

A former public university professor from eastern Afghanistan described a similar trajectory. He said he was dismissed about three years ago after publicly expressing support for girls' education and calling for merit-based appointments in government institutions. He, too, asked that his name not be published. The professor, who is responsible for a 13-member family, now teaches on a contractual basis at a private university, but his earnings are several times lower than his previous government salary and are insufficient to meet the household’s needs.

"In the month of Thawr 1401 I was dismissed and I no longer work in a government office," he told Radio Azadi. "On social media I had called for reopening girls' schools and emphasized meritocracy in government; I said that jobs should be given to those who are qualified. The Taliban used these points as a pretext, saying I was speaking against the system, and that led to my dismissal. Teaching was my only means to provide for my family, and after being removed I faced severe economic problems."

Former women judges and other female professionals report parallel hardships. A 38-year-old former judge from Herat said she has been barred from working for four and a half years. To feed her family during that period she said she was forced to sell household possessions, and recently even sold the family refrigerator.

"Since I lost my job, in these four years we have sold whatever items we had in the house to cover living costs. A few days ago we even sold our refrigerator," she said, declining to be named. "We all used to be heads of our households, but now we have reached a situation where we cannot even go out freely from the house and practically live under house arrest."

Radio Azadi sought comment from the Taliban government on the matter, but Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, had not responded to questions by the time of publication. Taliban officials have previously told Radio Azadi that hiring in government bodies is carried out according to needs and administrative policies, and that they were taking steps to reform and reorganize state institutions.

The dismissals and restrictions have extended beyond the public sector. The Taliban have imposed sweeping limits on women's work and education, affecting employees of domestic and international organizations, including the United Nations. The measures have left thousands of female civil servants unemployed and many young, educated Afghans—some holding bachelor's and master's degrees—without work. Several of those interviewed said they believe they lost their posts because of their opinions or public statements rather than objective criteria.

United Nations agencies and other international organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about rising unemployment, worsening economic conditions, and restrictions on women's employment in Afghanistan. They warn that these developments have broad and long-term negative effects on the economic life of millions of Afghans. Despite international appeals and campaigns by rights groups calling for the reversal of restrictions on women’s employment, Afghan women remain largely barred from many forms of work, and in certain instances, the restrictions have intensified.

The human stories of former employees—teachers, judges, administrators—underscore the broader societal implications of these policies. Beyond immediate financial hardship, interviewees described increasing mental health challenges, shrinking autonomy for women, and the erosion of professional sectors that once supported public services. For many families that depended on the incomes of dismissed employees, the loss of salaries has meant selling assets and narrowing options for basic survival.

As Afghanistan continues to face economic decline, international isolation, and internal policy shifts, the fate of dismissed public servants remains a barometer of broader social stability. Former employees and rights advocates say restoring employment opportunities, particularly for women, is crucial not only for the individuals affected but for the wider recovery of Afghan society and economy. Until then, many families say they will struggle to meet everyday needs while their future remains uncertain.