The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has announced that the de facto authorities, in late August of this year, closed religious schools for girls in several provinces. In a newly released report, the mission stated that in August 2025, the current government shut down three religious schools in Kabul for allegedly “violating hijab regulations, teaching regular school subjects, and admitting girls above grade six.” According to the report, government officials in the provinces of Paktika and Badakhshan also refrained from “admitting girls over the ages of 10 and 13 to religious schools” in late August. UNAMA further emphasized that during the three months covered by the report, it documented at least 456 cases of arrests and detentions and 44 cases of mistreatment of women and men by the so-called Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The UN mission noted that individuals were arrested and mistreated for reasons such as “styling hair or beards in a Western fashion, playing or listening to music, and failing to observe the hijab.” According to the report, between July and September of this year, government authorities publicly flogged 263 people, including 209 men and 54 women, across several provinces. The report added that over the past four years, the current authorities have issued more than 80 decrees aimed at restricting the rights and freedoms of women and girls. Since taking power, the government has banned women and girls from education. In its most recent restriction, it closed medical institutes to female students, despite a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers. This policy has left millions of girls deprived of education. In addition, women are banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working with national and international NGOs — including UN offices in Afghanistan.

The film Sima’s Song, directed by the acclaimed Afghan filmmaker Roya Sadat, has won the Audience Award at the Invisible Cinema Festival held in Bilbao, Spain. Ms. Sadat announced the news on her official Facebook account, saying that the film had the highest number of viewers during its three consecutive screenings and received an enthusiastic response from the audience. In part of her message, she wrote that the festival had been “a deeply meaningful experience” for her. She went on to express her appreciation for the organizers’ hard work, hospitality, commitment to art, and their deep connection with the public—especially the younger generation, emphasizing that receiving this award was a great honor for her. According to her post, the Audience Award of the festival was received on behalf of the filmmaking team by Alba Sotura Clua, one of the film’s producers. Roya Sadat added that Sima’s Song was produced in collaboration with Roya Film House, Balder Film, Volos Film, Urban Factory, and several other studios. The Afghan director noted that the film features performances by Mozhdah Jamalzadah, Nilofar Kukhani, Aziz Dildar, Lina Alam, Nilofar Pazira, Max Gross, Peyman Aryanfar, Morteza Alavi, Zubair Padash, and Halima Ahmadi. It is worth mentioning that Sima’s Song presents a human story of women, resilience, and hope in today’s Afghanistan and has been warmly received at various international film festivals. This achievement comes shortly after Roya Sadat was honored with a special award at the Toronto International Film Festival (IFFSA).

The United Nations Women has stated that reports indicate that, as a result of the strict policies of the caretaker government against women and girls over the past four years, Afghanistan has the second-largest gender gap in the world. This organization, in a published report, noted that Afghanistan has a 76% disparity between women and men in the areas of health, education, financial inclusion, and decision-making participation, and that the country is experiencing one of the worst human rights crises. Findings from the United Nations Women show that out of every 10 women in Afghanistan, eight are deprived of education, work, and skills training; a statistic that is nearly four times that of men. The United Nations Women further warned that if the entire population of Afghanistan is not empowered, the development process in the country will continue to decline. Previously, the United Nations had also warned that the restrictions imposed on women and girls after the takeover of the caretaker government have undermined achievements in gender equality. According to United Nations data, the current government has issued more than 80 decrees aimed at restricting women and girls over the past four years. Additionally, since taking control of Afghanistan, the current government has deprived women and girls of education. In its latest restriction, it 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 female students being unable to pursue education. Furthermore, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, examinations by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has recently announced that since the return to power of the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, Afghan women and girls have been facing unprecedented restrictions on their rights, freedoms, and dignity. In a report released day (Sunday, October 26), the organization stated that, according to the Afghanistan Gender Index 2024, nearly eight out of every ten young Afghan women are deprived of education, employment, and training opportunities — a figure four times higher than that of men. The report indicates that Afghanistan has the second-widest gender gap in the world, with a 76% disparity between women and men in the areas of health, education, and decision-making. The Afghanistan Gender Index 2024 report, financially supported by the European Union, assesses the status of women across five key dimensions: life and health, education and skills, employment and financial participation, participation in decision-making, and freedom from violence. UN Women also warned that Afghanistan’s development will continue to decline unless the entire population — especially women — is empowered. This criticism comes as the current authorities, since taking control of Afghanistan, have systematically banned women and girls from education and schooling. In their latest restriction, they closed the doors of medical institutes to female students — even though the health sector across Afghanistan suffers from a severe shortage of personnel. As a result of these measures, millions of school-age girls have been deprived of education. In addition, women have been barred from entering gyms, restaurants, and public bathhouses, from being examined by male doctors, from traveling without a male guardian, and from working with national and international NGOs — including UN offices in Afghanistan.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recently announced that its new credit guarantee initiative has supported thousands of businesses and created 16,000 jobs across Afghanistan despite the country’s ongoing economic crisis. In a newly released report, the agency stated that through a $1 million contribution from UNDP and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), around $20 million in loans were made available to support 7,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As a result, 16,000 jobs have been generated nationwide. According to the report, over 2,250 of these businesses are owned by women, and nearly 5,000 women are among the newly employed workers. The credit guarantee programme is implemented through the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation (ACGF) and aims to reduce lending risks for banks while encouraging them to provide loans to small enterprises. UNDP emphasized that under this scheme, the United Nations covers part of the banks’ potential losses in case of loan defaults, allowing financial institutions to invest more confidently in the private sector. The UN further added that this programme is part of broader efforts to rebuild and strengthen Afghanistan’s economic resilience, including technical training, financial product development, and the expansion of digital lending services. The report notes that Afghanistan’s experience demonstrates that well-designed credit guarantee mechanisms, when implemented in collaboration with local institutions, can significantly stimulate private investment and accelerate economic growth even in crisis-affected contexts. This comes at a time when, following the collapse of the economic system and the sharp decline in business activity after the Taliban’s return to power, most small and medium enterprises have been struggling with liquidity shortages, reduced demand, and limited access to finance. Afghanistan’s economy remains one of the most fragile in the world. According to World Bank data, the country’s GDP per capita in 2024 was only $414. The suspension of international aid, restrictions on women’s education and employment, and political instability have drastically limited job opportunities for women. Since the political transition in 2021 and the resurgence of the current authorities, Afghan women’s access to the labor market, education, and economic activity has faced severe restrictions. Many women-led businesses have shut down, and female labor force participation has fallen to below 15%. The ban on women’s work has impacted Afghanistan’s economy more profoundly than ever before.

The United Nations Youth Division has recently announced that Nila Ebrahimi, a teenage girl from Afghanistan, has been selected as one of the finalists for the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2025 program. According to the UN’s statement, following an open call for applications earlier this year, the organization received more than 33,000 applications from over 150 countries, from which 17 individuals from around the world were chosen as Young Leaders for the SDGs. The statement adds that all of these young leaders are between the ages of 16 and 33, and include founders, social activists, peacebuilders, and entrepreneurs who work on key sustainable development issues such as gender equality, human rights, climate change, and peace and security. Quoting Felipe Paullier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, the announcement reads: “The 2025 class of Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals represents the courage, creativity, and commitment of young people who are driving real change around the world.” He further emphasized that these young leaders are not only responding to today’s global challenges but are also actively shaping the future. Earlier today (Saturday, October 26), Nila Ebrahimi wrote on her Instagram account that she has been selected as one of the 17 UN Young Leaders for the SDGs 2025. She added that her selection as a UN Young Leader means “contributing to the global effort to build a more just and sustainable world.” The program lasts for two years, during which the selected individuals will work closely with the United Nations and its partners to advocate for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals and defend people’s rights. It is worth noting that Nila Ebrahimi received the International Children’s Peace Prize 2024 last year for her efforts in promoting the rights of women and girls.

The UK Foreign Office has recently announced that Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, has called on the interim government not to cut off internet access for the Afghan people. In a statement released by the ministry, it was said that Richard Lindsay made these remarks during his visit to Kabul. The statement added that the UK envoy traveled to Afghanistan in October and met with ministers and officials of the current administration during the trip. According to the statement, Mr. Lindsay discussed a range of issues during his visit, including regional stability, humanitarian assistance, internet access, and the rights of women and girls. Richard Lindsay further emphasized: “This visit was an opportunity to engage constructively with ministers and officials of the current government on important issues. The UK remains committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan and has allocated £4 million in emergency aid and up to £151 million for humanitarian support this year.” During his trip, he also raised concerns with government officials about the impact of internet shutdowns, which have disrupted vital services and isolated communities, urging authorities to maintain internet access. The statement added that he expressed his concerns regarding the rights of women, girls, and ethnic and religious minorities, and highlighted the importance of an inclusive government and constructive participation in the Doha process led by the United Nations. The UK envoy’s remarks in defense of women’s and girls’ human rights come as the current Afghan authorities, since taking power, have banned women and girls from education. Most recently, the government closed medical institutes to female students, despite the country’s healthcare system facing severe staff shortages. This action has left millions of school-aged girls deprived of education. Furthermore, women have been prohibited from attending gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working for domestic and international NGOs — including United Nations offices in Afghanistan. Severe poverty and the ongoing humanitarian crisis have also forced many families to forgo purchasing school supplies for their children.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated in its latest report that the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan “continues to deteriorate.” It warned that restrictions on education, employment, and participation in public life undermine fundamental human rights and the country’s future. In a statement released on Friday, 24 October, marking United Nations Day and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, the mission said Afghanistan is currently facing deep and complex challenges. The humanitarian crisis in the country remains one of the most severe in the world, with about two-thirds of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. The statement also stressed that declining financial support threatens the ability to meet urgent needs and sustain life-saving aid operations in Afghanistan. UNAMA added that, alongside challenges such as climate change, droughts, floods, and environmental degradation, the return of millions of refugees from neighboring countries has further intensified the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. According to the mission, it continues to engage with all stakeholders to support inclusive governance, protect human rights, and strengthen international support for the Afghan people. Indrika Ratwatte, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan and the Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, reaffirmed that the UN “will remain alongside the people of Afghanistan.” UNAMA also called on the international community to cooperate in building “a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Afghanistan.” These remarks come as the interim authorities in Afghanistan continue to ban girls’ education beyond grade six and prohibit women from working. The government has also imposed severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ freedom of movement and participation in public life.

FIFA has recently announced that the Afghanistan women's football team in exile has been relocated to Morocco to participate in the "FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025" international tournament. The New Arab news agency reported this morning (Thursday, November 1) that the competition was originally scheduled to take place in Dubai starting today, but due to visa issues for the players in exile, the location and timing have changed, and it will now begin on Sunday of next week. The Afghan women's team in exile will compete against teams from Chad, Tunisia, and Libya in this tournament. The players of this team, who have left Afghanistan and settled in other countries, have named their team "Afghan Women United." The final roster includes 13 players residing in Australia, 5 players from the UK, 3 players from Portugal, and 2 players from Italy. FIFA previously stated in a statement that this tournament is part of a "comprehensive action strategy for Afghan women's football" and includes support and preparation for Afghan players ahead of the competitions. Tunisia is currently ranked 96th in the world, while Chad and Libya have yet to receive FIFA rankings. In these competitions, "Kershmeh Abbasi, Suvin Azimi, Montaha Maslih, Najma Arefi, Nazia Ali, Bahara Samimi, Bahara Kohestani, Manouj Nouri, Khorsand Azizai, Zeinab Mozaffari, Fatemeh Haidari, Sousan Khajasteh, Mina Ahmadi, Neelab Mohammadi, Marsal Sadat, Elaheh Safdari, Fatemeh Yousofi, Mona Amini, Maryam Karimyar, Fatemeh Erfani, Aziza Alizadeh, Sousan Mohammadi, and Bibi Nouri" will represent the Afghan women’s refugee football team against their opponents.