On the occasion of the International Day Against Child Labor, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states that children, especially girls deprived of education, are more exposed to hazardous work and exploitation. In a message published on its X account, UNAMA noted that children across Afghanistan are engaged in "difficult and dangerous" work in roads, markets, farms, mines, and workshops. Today (Friday, June 12) marks the "International Day Against Child Labor," which is celebrated this year under the slogan "Red Card to Child Labor: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults." In part of its message, the organization emphasized that children should have the "opportunity to learn, play, and grow in a safe and healthy environment." The UN office stated: "When children, especially girls, are deprived of education, they are more vulnerable to early, harmful work and exploitation." It further mentioned that the caretaker government's restrictions against women's work often compel families to rely on child labor to meet their economic needs. UNAMA added that children deserve equal opportunities for play, access to education, and protection against exploitation, abuse, and harm. It is worth noting that the situation of children in Afghanistan is consistently reported as dire. According to statistics from relevant UN agencies, by the year 2025, over 2.2 million girls will be deprived of education due to restrictions, more than one million children have turned to hard labor due to the spread of poverty, and over 3.5 million children under five are suffering from malnutrition due to hunger and food insecurity.

The Chinese representative at the United Nations Security Council has urged the interim government to lift restrictions on women's and girls' access to education and work, and to facilitate their access to healthcare services and social participation. During a meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the situation in Afghanistan, this Chinese official stated that the current government has banned the education of girls above the sixth grade for the fifth consecutive year, resulting in millions of girls being deprived of schooling. The Chinese representative at the UN described the exclusion of these girls from education as deeply concerning and called for the protection of the fundamental rights of the people of Afghanistan. He also urged the current government to lift the ban on Afghan women employees of the United Nations entering the organization's offices, stating that this prohibition has impacted the normal operations of UN agencies. At the same time, the Chinese representative called for global engagement with the interim government, the release of Afghanistan's frozen assets, and the provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. While the Chinese representative advocates for women's and girls' access to education and employment, the current government has prohibited the education of girls and women above the sixth grade for nearly four years. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans education beyond the sixth grade for girls. This action by the current government has resulted in millions of female students being unable to receive an education. Additionally, women have been barred from attending 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 in UN offices in Afghanistan. According to reports, if this ban continues, nearly four million girls may be deprived of education by 2030.

Khalida Popal, the former captain of the Afghanistan women's national football team, has been included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential sports figures in the world for the year 2026. This is the first time that Time magazine has introduced and celebrated the most influential personalities in the world of sports. The report states that Khalida Popal's name was included in this list due to her significant role in the development of women's sports and her support for the rights of female athletes in Afghanistan. After years of activity in football and advocating for women's rights, Ms. Popal has become one of the most recognized figures in Afghan sports on an international level. Time magazine noted that she was one of the founders of the first women's national football team in Afghanistan in 2007 and, in addition to her presence on the field, has worked to promote women's football and increase girls' participation in the sport. The report continues that with the resurgence of the caretaker government, women's sports in Afghanistan were effectively halted, and the Afghanistan Football Federation dissolved the women's national team in 2021. As a result of these developments, many female footballers, including Khalida Popal, were forced to leave the country. Time adds that after migrating to Denmark, Popal continued her activities and played a pivotal role in establishing and organizing the "Afghan Women United" team, which consists of female footballers from Afghanistan living in various countries. According to the report, Khalida Popal led campaigns for the recognition of this team by FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football). These campaigns ultimately succeeded in April of this year when FIFA recognized the team. With this decision, Afghan players who are members of "Afghan Women United" can participate in international competitions, including the qualifying matches for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The "100 Most Influential Sports Figures" list is published annually by Time magazine and honors athletes, coaches, and personalities who have made a significant impact on the world of sports.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the interim government, has claimed that Pakistan bombed civilian "homes" in Kunar, Khost, and Paktika, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to 14 others. Mr. Mujahid stated early this morning (Wednesday, June 10) on his X account, along with images, that in these attacks, 11 children, one woman, and one elderly person were killed. He described these attacks as a "humanitarian crime" and "aggression," condemning them in the strongest terms. He emphasized that the Pakistani army conducted these attacks by violating Afghanistan's airspace. Local sources also reported several powerful explosions in the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktia in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan early Wednesday. Pakistani officials have not yet commented on this matter. Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, condemned Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghanistan. He wrote on his X account: "Pakistan is grappling with the consequences of its reckless policies and hostile actions in the region and must realize that continuing and pursuing these policies will not lead to any good." Mr. Karzai added that it is in Pakistan's best interest to abandon its policy of war and destruction towards Afghanistan and instead choose good neighborliness and civilized relations.

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has recently stated that by 2026, approximately 21.9 million people, equivalent to 45% of Afghanistan's population, will need humanitarian assistance. Mr. Guterres, in a report, mentioned that the main needs include food aid, treatment for acute malnutrition, primary healthcare services, access to safe drinking water, and support services. He emphasized that around 17.4 million people in Afghanistan are facing acute food insecurity, and this number is expected to increase. He pointed out that budget shortfalls have also reduced the coverage of food assistance. According to the report, about 4.9 million children under five years old and pregnant and breastfeeding women need treatment for acute malnutrition. The report also states that 80% of humanitarian organizations are facing financial difficulties. The UN Secretary-General added that 39% of these organizations have reduced their staff salaries, 35% have limited their field presence, and 28% are planning to reduce personnel or activities for 2026. Additionally, Antonio Guterres noted in his report that as of April 1, approximately 94,000 people have been displaced due to border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with more than half of these individuals being women and children. The United Nations has reported an increase in the risk of gender-based violence in affected areas. Furthermore, between March 26 and April 16, heavy rainfall and flash floods affected 73,300 people in Afghanistan and left over 31,600 in urgent need of assistance.

Eden Vasorano, the head of the OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) crisis response section, stated that families in Afghanistan are under severe economic and humanitarian pressure, with some forced to sell their children. Ms. Vasorano made these remarks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council regarding the situation in Afghanistan, highlighting that seven million people in Afghanistan face food insecurity and four million children suffer from severe malnutrition. She further emphasized that half of Afghanistan's population requires humanitarian assistance, and attacks from Pakistan have displaced thousands of families in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan, increasing humanitarian needs. Additionally, she noted that the return of migrants and natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with women bearing the brunt of these crises. The OCHA crisis response director stressed that humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan are working under very difficult conditions, and restrictions have negatively impacted the aid delivery process. She called for the necessary funding to provide assistance to Afghanistan, stating that predictable and flexible financial resources must be secured to address the needs of those in need. According to United Nations data, half of Afghanistan's population relies on humanitarian aid for survival. Concerns about worsening humanitarian crises in the country have intensified during the summer season. Furthermore, UN-affiliated agencies have previously stated that due to the ban on women working in international humanitarian organizations, it has become more challenging to assist women and girls.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recently stated that providing health services to mothers and the presence of midwives in remote areas of Afghanistan play a vital role in preventing maternal and neonatal mortality. Today (Monday, June 8), the organization published a report indicating that health workers at the "Family Health House" in the Dara-e-Boom district of Badghis province successfully managed high-risk childbirth cases and prevented serious complications for mothers and newborns. The report noted that timely collaboration between midwives and health workers, along with the provision of emergency care in this district, has resulted in successful deliveries and saved mothers from danger. UNFPA further emphasized that access for women to prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care can prevent many preventable deaths. Additionally, the organization mentioned in part of its report that in remote areas of Afghanistan, where access to larger healthcare facilities is limited, "Family Health Houses" play a significant role in providing primary services and saving patients' lives. UNFPA stated that the "Family Health House" in the Dara-e-Boom district of Badghis province operates with the support of the Canadian government, offering health services for mothers and newborns to the residents of this area. It is noteworthy that Afghanistan is among the countries facing high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. The lack of healthcare facilities, limited access to specialized training, and the great distances from villages to healthcare centers pose serious challenges in providing services to pregnant mothers. In many areas, women give birth at home or in small clinics, and midwives often work with minimal resources and without immediate access to specialized guidance.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has recently announced that it is providing opportunities for vocational training, including gemstone carving and goldsmithing, for girls and young women in Afghanistan. Tajuddin Iwalai, head of UNICEF's Afghanistan section, wrote on his X account that this educational program is being implemented with financial support from the Asian Development Bank. He emphasized that this training course helps girls acquire the necessary skills to enter the job market and start small businesses. The announcement stated that the educational program is conducted in the form of technical and vocational courses, where participants learn practical skills needed for employment and economic self-sufficiency. It further mentioned that training in skills such as lapis lazuli carving, goldsmithing, and other related professions is part of this program, aimed at increasing income-generating opportunities for girls and young women. According to this plan, learners will have access to the basic tools and resources needed to start their professional activities after completing six months of training, in addition to acquiring specialized skills. It is noteworthy that this initiative comes at a time when girls above the sixth grade continue to be deprived of formal education. On the other hand, existing restrictions on job opportunities for women have forced many of them to turn to private activities and small businesses to meet their living expenses.