Georgette Gagnon, the political deputy of UNAMA (the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan), has expressed concern over the increasing restrictions on women and girls in the country, stating that these limitations are impacting the provision of health assistance to women and children. In an interview with Tolo News, Ms. Gagnon described the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan as alarming, noting that the continuation of such conditions will make progress toward change difficult. Efforts to address this issue are ongoing, and these efforts need to be expedited. The deputy head of the UN mission in Afghanistan stated that if the caretaker government does not change its approach toward women and girls, the recognition of this group's government will be "very difficult." She added that the decisions of UN member states regarding the current government are related to the changing situation in Afghanistan. Ms. Gagnon, who has extensive experience working in Afghanistan, emphasized that several UN member states and members of the Security Council have repeatedly stated that changes in the current government's policies are necessary to address fundamental issues, including the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. Referring to the fact that the decision to recognize the current government depends on UN member states, she said: "As I mentioned, the situation is challenging. I believe it is clear from the statements that have been issued that if this situation continues, it will be very, very difficult to move toward that point (recognizing the Taliban government)." Ms. Gagnon, who worked as the Human Rights Director for UNAMA in Kabul from 2010 to 2015, expressed her concerns about the recent actions of the current government, including closing medical institutes to female students and preventing women from being employed in domestic and international NGOs. She stated: "Such restrictions affect the provision of health assistance for women and girls in the country; of course, not only for women but for all communities in need of humanitarian aid. This is a very serious situation; it could delay assistance for women, girls, children, and people throughout the country and will also impact development issues." Ms. Gagnon indicated that the people of Afghanistan are suffering from the policies of the current government, and efforts to resolve this problem must be accelerated. She noted that the current government has not responded to internal and external concerns and has not found solutions for them. It is worth mentioning that in the more than three years since returning to power, the current government has not only maintained its strict policies but has gradually intensified restrictions.

The Afghanistan Journalists' Center reports that the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the interim government has now banned the publication of live images in six provinces. In a statement regarding the expansion of the ban on live image publication, this center expressed concern and warned about the negative consequences for media work, journalists, and access to information. Recently, the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has prohibited the publication of live images in Nuristan province. The Afghanistan Journalists' Center emphasized that in Nuristan, in addition to the provincial representation of the National Radio and Television and the state news agency Bakhtar, three private radios—Elina, Solh-e-Sahar, and Sedaye Paroon—are operating. According to sources cited by the center, the National Television does not have local programming in Nuristan, and before the announcement of the ban on live image publication, its reports were broadcast through the National Television in Kabul. Additionally, part of the center's statement mentions that visual reports from the provincial section of Bakhtar news agency were also sent to Kabul. The Journalists' Center added that so far, in addition to Nuristan, the ban on live image publication has been officially announced in five provinces, including Kandahar, Takhar, Badghis, Helmand, and Nangarhar. As a result, local visual media have ceased their activities, and journalists are facing severe restrictions. It is worth noting that Article 17 of the Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the interim government assigns responsibility to the inspectors of this group to prevent the publication of live photos and videos. This law has also been implemented in some government offices in Kabul; however, state and private visual media have continued their broadcasts so far. The Afghanistan Journalists' Center considers the expansion of this restriction as a clear sign of systematic repression of freedom of expression and media. They have called on the leadership of the current government in Kandahar province to respect freedom of expression and the fundamental rights of journalists and media by lifting these restrictions.

The Directorate of Invitation and Guidance of the caretaker government’s Ministry of Public Health has recently announced 11 positions for "religious preachers" for civil institutions, including hospitals. A recently published version of the list of announced positions indicates that, alongside male preachers, one "female preacher and teacher" will also be hired. It further states that religious preachers in civil institutions, including hospitals, are tasked with overseeing and intervening in the "dress, behavior, and beliefs" of employees. These positions are in health centers in the districts of Kabul. Additionally, some media outlets have reported that religious preachers have been hired in certain health centers, including drug rehabilitation centers. The caretaker government is hiring religious preachers in health centers at a time when these facilities are facing a shortage of professional staff, including female doctors. Moreover, the current government has banned the education of women and girls, and this prohibition will likely lead to a serious crisis in Afghanistan's health sector in the future. It should be noted that the caretaker government has previously hired preachers and imams in universities. This group has been established in every governmental department under the title of Invitation and Guidance, which is said to be responsible for monitoring the dress and beliefs of employees.

A number of Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan have reported that the country's security forces have escalated the process of expelling and detaining undocumented migrants. Among those detained are women and children. Sources among Afghan migrants in Pakistan told media outlet Goharshad on Monday (January 7) that a large number of Afghan asylum seekers have been arrested in areas (I-11), (B-17), and Baharku, which are part of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and have been transferred to camps. The source did not provide specific figures regarding the number of detainees but stated that women and children are among those arrested. Additionally, video footage shared on social media shows that women and children are included among the detainees. In recent days, a significant number of Afghan asylum seekers have gone into hiding for fear of being arrested by the Pakistani police. The source added that the arrests of asylum seekers have increased following recent tensions between the interim government and Pakistan, as well as the onset of the year 2025. Previously, two Afghan citizens released a video stating that they were hiding in a bathroom out of fear of the Pakistani police. The Pakistani police have not officially commented on the arrests and expulsion of asylum seekers; however, the interrogation and detention process continues vigorously. Asylum seekers report that they have abandoned their homes during the cold season out of fear and have sought refuge on the streets. Many organizations have reacted to this situation, calling for an end to these actions. Additionally, some protesting women have described the detention of Afghan migrants by the Pakistani police as a violation of human rights and expressed concern over the continuation of this process. The Hope Window Movement stated in a press release that if migrants are expelled from Pakistan, they will face serious threats in Afghanistan. According to this movement, most migrants in Pakistan fled due to threats and are awaiting their asylum cases in a third country. The statement reads: "The Hope Window Movement considers the forced expulsion and harassment of Afghan migrants, especially women and children, from Pakistan to be a clear violation of human rights." This movement has urged the United Nations and human rights organizations to take immediate action to stop the Pakistani government's measures concerning the detention of migrants.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has announced that in the year 2024, more than 500 children have been killed or injured due to the explosion of unexploded ordnance left over from the war in Afghanistan. UNICEF released this statistic today (Sunday, January 6) in a statement on its X account. The United Nations Children's Fund emphasized that last year, awareness and education about the dangers of landmines and other unexploded ordnance were provided to approximately three million children in Afghanistan. According to reports, millions of square meters of land in Afghanistan are contaminated with landmines and other unexploded ordnance. Recently, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan stated that in 2024, 455 individuals have been killed or injured in incidents related to explosive hazards. The ICRC emphasized that this year, 234 incidents related to explosive hazards have been recorded in Afghanistan. The International Committee of the Red Cross added that Afghanistan remains one of the most vulnerable countries to explosive hazards. Due to decades of war, parts of Afghanistan are contaminated with mines and explosive materials. The United Nations states that three million people in Afghanistan live within a one-kilometer radius of landmines and explosive remnants of war. The ICRC has reported that together with the Afghan Red Crescent Society, they have raised awareness for over 240,000 people across the country in 2024. It should be noted that in recent months, the number of casualties from landmine explosions has increased due to the return of Afghan migrants to the country. The demining organization "HALO Trust" recently reported that over 65 square kilometers of land in Afghanistan are contaminated with homemade explosives. It is worth mentioning that decades of war and the presence of various groups have contributed to the planting of these mines in Afghanistan.

The result of a new study on the economic consequences of excluding women and girls in Afghanistan from education and work shows that the Taliban government's ban costs the Afghan economy more than $1.4 billion annually. Harry Anthony Patrinos, head of educational policy at the University of Arkansas, and Raja Bentaouet Kattan, an education expert at the World Bank, along with Rafiuddin Najm, an economist at American University, are the authors of this research. These three researchers published their findings on economic changes using labor and household data from Afghanistan for the years 2007, 2014, and 2020 on the Conversation website. They emphasized in their study that the financial loss from excluding women and girls from education and work is greater than previous estimates made by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Two years ago, UNICEF announced that the ban on secondary education for girls had caused at least $500 million in damage to Afghanistan's economy. This new study emphasizes that the estimated financial loss only includes direct financial impacts and does not account for social costs resulting from reduced education levels for women, such as negative effects on health, children's education, and social inequalities. Researchers clarified the economic impact of current government actions against women by stating that Afghanistan's GDP in 2023 was only $17 billion. These experts stressed that investing in women's education not only leads to economic growth but also has long-term social benefits such as improved public health and reduced poverty, resulting in higher school attendance rates and better health for children. The authors of the study emphasize that the continuation of this ban will eliminate educational and economic opportunities for generations and will pose deeper challenges for Afghanistan. Part of this research states that investing in women's education affects not only the women themselves but also brings economic and social benefits that can last for generations. These benefits include higher school attendance rates and improved health for children. The research compares the impact of women's education and work on the country's economy during the period following the fall of the current government in 2001 with the year 2020. The results indicate that when educational opportunities are provided for women and girls, child mortality rates decreased by half, and gross national income nearly tripled. The study examines the role of education in economic growth globally, noting that the average return on investment in education is about 9 percent for each additional year of schooling. The analysis shows that while the return on investment in education in Afghanistan is low, it significantly increases when focusing on women's education. According to the findings of this research, for each additional year of schooling for a woman, her income increases by an average of 13 percent.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states that empowering women and girls in Afghanistan is essential for a brighter future. In a message posted on its X account, the organization noted that it has supported thousands of women in various sectors of empowerment in Afghanistan. UNAMA has stated that through its joint approach, it has empowered thousands of Afghan women to take the lead in income-generating initiatives, strengthen their financial stability, and guide their communities towards greater resilience. The organization emphasized that this program provides training in skills such as sewing, embroidery, and food processing to women and girls. It further mentioned that this training has helped them not only produce high-quality products but also create a sustainable source of income for themselves and their families. UNAMA added that this program is being implemented in collaboration with international organizations, aiming to reduce poverty and empower Afghan women. According to this agency, such programs play a crucial role in fostering hope and strengthening local communities. While UN agencies are striving to empower women through self-employment, the interim government in Afghanistan has severely restricted work opportunities for women and girls. Women are barred from working in many sectors and even in the offices of UN organizations. Nevertheless, small and medium-sized businesses remain one of the few remaining opportunities for women and girls.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has recently stated that women, children, and persons with disabilities in Afghanistan are at the forefront of crises. In a published report, the ICRC noted that Afghanistan will continue to face significant humanitarian challenges in 2024, stemming from economic crises, natural disasters, and the consequences of prolonged conflicts. The ICRC emphasized that international sanctions and a decrease in foreign aid have created further problems across Afghanistan. The report continued by stating that these issues have worsened the situation in a country where millions are facing poverty, food insecurity, and difficulties accessing healthcare. It highlighted that the condition of women, children, and persons with disabilities throughout Afghanistan is alarming, and they are exposed to the greatest risks. The report cited Katrin Ritz, head of the ICRC delegation, stating that Afghanistan urgently needs the attention and long-term assistance of the international community to address this critical situation. Additionally, part of the report mentioned the dangers posed by explosive materials in various regions of Afghanistan, describing explosives as a serious threat to the Afghan people. The report provided statistics indicating that in 2024, 455 civilians, including 359 children, lost their lives or were injured in 234 incidents related to these dangers. The ICRC emphasized that, in collaboration with the Afghan Red Crescent Society, it has trained over 240,000 people in areas contaminated by explosive ordnance to help reduce risks. The committee added that alongside physical rehabilitation programs for more than 200,000 persons with disabilities in Afghanistan, it has assisted them in starting new lives. Moreover, the report stressed the necessity for greater attention from the international community to the immediate and long-term needs of the Afghan people, especially women and children.