KABUL, AFGHANSITAN – A new report by UN-Habitat warns that Afghanistan’s rapid urbanization, driven by internal displacement, forced returns, and a worsening economic crisis, is significantly deepening gender inequality in urban and peri-urban informal settlements across the country.
According to findings from surveys conducted by UN-Habitat in communities with large populations of marginalized groups, the potential of cities to provide better opportunities and services has not reduced gender disparities. Instead, the report says, urbanization under current conditions is widening existing gaps and leaving women and girls in increasingly vulnerable situations.
The report highlights that under the rule of the Taliban, nearly all traditional avenues that once supported women’s safety, dignity, and empowerment have been dismantled. These include access to formal education, freedom of movement in public spaces, employment opportunities, and participation in public and civic life.
For women and girls living in urban informal settlements, these restrictions intersect with a range of additional vulnerabilities. These include insecure housing and land tenure, unsafe public spaces, limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and shrinking livelihood opportunities. Together, these factors are compounding inequality and making daily life increasingly difficult for women and girls in these communities.
The findings are based on community-level data collected between 2023 and 2025 in several major Afghan cities, including Herat, Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar, and Nangarhar Province. The research identifies ten key areas where gender inequality is widening, particularly in informal urban and peri-urban settlements.
UN-Habitat says the findings complement similar assessments by international organizations, including UN Women. A recent gender alert by UN Women noted that nearly four years after the Taliban returned to power, Afghan women continue to face expanding restrictions despite ongoing resistance and advocacy efforts.
The UN-Habitat factsheet aims to provide evidence-based insights for humanitarian and development partners, helping guide future interventions and project design aimed at supporting vulnerable communities, particularly women and girls living in informal urban settlements.
The report reflects a broader structural crisis in Afghanistan, where rapid and unplanned urban growth is occurring alongside political restrictions, economic collapse, and humanitarian pressures. As families displaced by conflict, poverty, and climate challenges move into cities in search of safety and livelihoods, urban infrastructure and social systems have struggled to keep pace.
For women and girls—already facing severe legal and social restrictions—the pressures of urban poverty, unsafe living conditions, and limited access to services can create a cycle of marginalization. Experts warn that without targeted international support, inclusive urban planning, and policies that restore women’s rights and participation in public life, the gender gap in Afghanistan’s rapidly expanding cities may continue to widen in the years ahead.
According to UN-Habitat, about 25% of Afghanistan’s population currently resides in urban areas, a figure projected to rise to 50% by 2060 due to ongoing population growth and migration. The agency warned that without proper planning, the rapid urbanization could exacerbate existing economic, social, and environmental challenges, including insufficient housing, inadequate public services, and strain on historical sites.
