Afghanistan's health workforce shortage is a result of the continues war in the country since 1978, including the historic under-investment in education and training, migration, lack of infrastructure and equipment and poor remuneration. Other challenges also include lack of opportunities for career advancement, staff absenteeism, moonlighting, and weak management. Ongoing insecurity, harsh geographical terrain, cultural and socio-economic barriers have also contributed to the overall shortage as well as gender and geographic imbalances in the health workforce. As per the global pattern, many health workers (especially specialists and female doctors) prefer to work in Kabul and other large cities for a notably better standard of life (i.e. security, employment, transportation, health care and education for their children). In addition, the historic policies limiting girls' education (during the Taliban regime from 1995 to 2001) affecting health workforce production are still felt and encountered today, especially in more rural provinces.