Jan Egeland, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, warned that recent bombings in Iran have caused serious psychological harm to Afghan and Iranian children. In a message posted on his X account, Egeland stated that many Afghan migrant families have lost their limited sources of income due to the economic crisis resulting from the war. He mentioned that in the social centers operated by the Norwegian Refugee Council in collaboration with its partners for Afghan migrants, children receive not only basic education but also psychological support services and trauma-related care. He further emphasized that over four million Afghan migrants in Iran need immediate humanitarian assistance and support. Egeland also warned that the situation for these migrants has worsened due to the war and economic crisis, requiring serious attention from the international community. Additionally, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council previously stated that Afghan migrants in Iran are forgotten victims of the U.S. and Israeli war against the Islamic Republic. He noted that with decreasing incomes and rising prices, Afghan families in Iran are facing difficulties in meeting their needs. He mentioned that since the onset of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, a large number of Afghan citizens have lost their jobs, and the cost of food items in Iran has doubled compared to a year ago.

Zakia Ahmad, the first Afghan woman to successfully summit Mount Everest, has recently launched a campaign to support the education of women and girls and has called on people around the world to advocate for the right to education in Afghanistan. This 31-year-old mountaineer from Afghanistan reached the 8,848-meter peak of Everest on June 1st and announced through a message on her Instagram account that her goal in making this ascent was not just a sporting achievement, but to draw global attention to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. In her message, she emphasized her efforts to be the voice of thousands of women and girls who have been deprived of their basic rights, especially the right to education and freedom, for over four years. She stated in part of her message: “Let’s ensure that the voices of marginalized Afghan women are not silenced and that hope remains alive.” She has also initiated a fundraising campaign and urged her supporters to participate in this program to support the education of girls in Afghanistan. Additionally, Zakia Ahmad expressed her gratitude to the "Baba Mazari Foundation" for its financial support of her climbing program, stating that the foundation believed from the beginning that her presence at the summit of the world’s highest peak could amplify the voices of Afghan women and girls. This Afghan mountaineer, also known as "River," reached the summit via the Khumbu region in Nepal with her Nepali guides and made history as the first Afghan woman to achieve this significant milestone. It is worth noting that Zakia Ahmad sought asylum in Australia following the political changes in Afghanistan in 2022 but continued her sporting activities. Prior to climbing Everest, she had an impressive track record in mountaineering, having successfully summited Noshaq in Afghanistan, Mont Blanc in France, Mera Peak in Nepal, and Nanda Devi in India. She states that reaching Everest is not the end of her journey but an opportunity to draw greater attention to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and to increase global support for their right to education.

The Dutch Ministry of Immigration has recently announced that women and girls from Afghanistan who have applied for asylum in the Netherlands are likely to be allowed to stay in the country. According to the Holland Times, Bart van den Brink, the Minister of Immigration in the Netherlands, reported that Afghan women and girls will generally receive residency permits in this country. A section of the Holland Times report states that this decision was made after the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the situation for women in Afghanistan has deteriorated further. Under Dutch asylum laws, Afghan women have previously been able to receive residency permits if they cannot comply with the laws of the ruling government and are therefore at risk of harassment. According to the Holland Times, last year, 760 Afghan citizens applied for asylum in the Netherlands; a figure that is expected to drop to 490 in 2024, compared to 670 the year before. In 2025, after the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service and then David van Wil, the Minister of Immigration, rejected asylum applications from several Afghan women, they faced severe criticism. Van Wil had stated at that time that women could theoretically adapt to living in Afghanistan. As reported by the Holland Times, following a strong public backlash and a series of legal challenges, the Dutch Immigration Service changed its position in early 2026 and ultimately granted residency to four Afghan women.

The documentary film "The Sharp Edge of Peace," directed by Afghan filmmaker Roya Sadat, has won the award for Best Human Rights Documentary at the 12th edition of the global festival "Voices of Women Now." According to a statement from the festival, the Voices of Women Now festival, held from April 20 to May 26 in Los Angeles, USA, featured 39 films from 20 countries this year. The statement emphasizes that these films were primarily selected to showcase the enduring legacy of women's resilience and resistance. Roya Sadat, the Afghan director, wrote on her Facebook account that her documentary "The Sharp Edge of Peace," produced by Leslie Thomas, has won the Best Human Rights Documentary award. Additionally, Roya's film house stated that receiving this award not only honors Afghan cinema but also celebrates the strength and resilience of Afghan women—women whose voices and stories continue to inspire the world despite years of silence and hardship. The organization "Voices of Women Now" has provided a platform for emerging filmmakers since 2011 to use impactful social media as a tool for advocacy and support. This organization helps facilitate networking opportunities with industry activists to ensure that important and authentic narratives reach global audiences. As Roya Sadat receives this award, women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face widespread restrictions and are deprived of education and employment.

The United Nations Women’s Division has recently stated that girls around the world challenge stereotypes every day in education, sports, innovation, professions, and other fields. In a message published today (Sunday, May 24) on its X account, the organization urged everyone to always remember the empowerment of women and girls. Additionally, the UN Women’s Division called for the creation of a world that provides equal opportunities for girls. This comes at a time when girls in Afghanistan are deprived of their basic rights, such as the right to education, the right to freedom of movement, and the right to work and participate in society. The current government, after taking control of Afghanistan, has barred women and girls from education and schooling. In its latest restriction, it has closed the doors of medical institutes to girls and women, while the health sector across Afghanistan is facing a shortage of personnel. This action by the current government has resulted in millions of schoolgirls being unable to pursue their education. Moreover, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs, as well as even in UN offices in Afghanistan. According to reports, if this ban continues, nearly four million girls may be deprived of education by 2030.