The Women and Children Research and Advocacy Network has reported that over 90% of women and girls in Afghanistan have lost their jobs following the rise of the caretaker government, and that the restrictive decrees have led to the exclusion of women from nearly all aspects of life.
In a newly released report, the Network states that the current government’s decrees have caused psychological and economic distress, increased violence, and deprived women and girls of education.
According to the statement, the research titled “The Impact of the Caretaker Government’s Decrees on Women and Girls in Afghanistan” was conducted between October 2024 and March 2025 in the provinces of Balkh, Kabul, Badakhshan, Herat, Nangarhar, Wardak, Ghazni, Ghor, Logar, and Bamyan.
Findings from the research indicate that 36% of women and girls have experienced psychological, economic, physical, and sexual violence, while 65.4% have witnessed violence against women. However, due to lack of legal support, fear of escalation, family concerns, and limited social support, most victims remained silent.
The Canada-based network also reported that more than 95% of women and girls are deprived of the right to travel without a male guardian or use public transportation. These restrictions have fueled poverty, despair, increased domestic violence, and the social isolation of women and girls.
The network has called on the international community to recognize gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
While this organization criticizes the restrictions, the caretaker government, since its return to power, has imposed widespread limitations on women’s fundamental rights and freedoms, banning them from education and employment.
As a result, millions of school-age girls have been denied access to education.
In addition, women have been barred from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs, as well as even UN offices in Afghanistan.
