Challenges Faced by Afghan Migrant Women in Iran: Limited Opportunities, Legal Struggles, and a Call for Human Rights Advocacy

In the face of daunting economic conditions, millions of Afghan immigrants residing in Iran encounter significant challenges, with approximately one-third of this population being women grappling with scarce employment opportunities, as reported by Khaama Press, citing published statistics.

Women’s rights activist Asifa Stanekzai sheds light on the precarious situation of undocumented immigrants in Iran, emphasizing the looming threat of “forced” deportations coupled with severe restrictions on education and employment. Stanekzai points out that many migrant women in Iran find themselves confined to home-based occupations, such as sewing, a circumstance she attributes to limitations in “employment generation” and cultural factors, as highlighted in the Khaama Press report.

The Iranian newspaper ‘Ham-Maihan’ echoes these concerns in a report titled ‘Migrant Women: Invisible Workers,’ underscoring that Afghan women migrants in Iran often toil in underground workshops for meager wages.

Unofficial statistics indicate that around 4 to 5 million migrants, with 90 percent being Afghan, reside in Iran, with a substantial 41 percent of them being women, according to Khaama Press. Stanekzai points to educational constraints in Afghanistan and the aspiration to reach European countries as driving factors for women’s migration to Iran.

Despite the challenges faced by Afghan migrant women, Stanekzai notes the absence of a dedicated legal organization addressing their problems in Iran. Only the Immigration Department and people’s councils collaborate in this area, leaving a critical gap in support for this vulnerable demographic.

While Iranian media reports highlight the active involvement of Afghan migrant women in the production sector, broader acceptance of these women in the public sphere remains a hurdle, notes Khaama Press.

Despite the struggles faced by Afghan migrant women, human rights organizations in Iran have not been proactive in addressing their challenges, according to Stanekzai. The report also sheds light on the life of an Afghan migrant woman who, despite two decades of working in various professions, including carpet weaving and nursing, faced job loss due to lack of legal residency.

With Iran hosting Afghan migrants for decades, imposing restrictions and pushing them into low-paying, labor-intensive jobs, the trend of deportations from Iran is reportedly on the rise. The Iranian Foreign Minister’s recent statement emphasizing the inability to continue providing services to Afghan migrants underscores the escalating challenges faced by this vulnerable population, as reported by Khaama Press.