Female employment in Afghanistan has dropped by a 25% after the "Taliban" swept into power in the country, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), said in a news report.

The report said that the fall in female employment was exacerbated following restrictions on women working and studying.

The ILO said the 25% drop in female employment took place by the final quarter of 2022 from the second quarter of 2021, compared with a 7% drop for men.

The Ministry of Economy meanwhile said that efforts are underway to create job opportunities in Afghanistan.

"Efforts are underway to facilitate jobs for the young generation. We are trying to address the unemployment by launching major economic projects and strengthening our private sector," said Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy.

This comes as on International Women's Day many women call on the Islamic Emirate to allow women to have access to education and work.

TOLOnews interviewed Farahnaz, a student in a journalism program.

"A decree was issued that banned females from higher education, this is very painful for us," she said.

This comes as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan told the UN Security Council that they"are disappointed at the restrictions imposed on education and work on women and girls in Afghanistan."

"Access to all levels of education and work is a fundamental right in keeping with Islamic injunction,” he said.

In December 2022, the Ministry of Economy in a decree instructed NGOs to suspend the work of female employees until further notice.