The United Nations Development Office has recently announced that it has supported over 80,000 women-led small businesses in Afghanistan. In a message posted today (Sunday, December 23) on its X account, the office stated that women-led businesses have created jobs for 900,000 people and benefited more than 4.5 million individuals. While the United Nations Development Office reports support for 80,000 women-led small businesses in Afghanistan, women and girls in the country face severe restrictions from the caretaker government and are barred from working in government and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, the current government has prohibited certain businesses run by women, including women's hairdressing. This comes at a time when women and children bear the brunt of the economic crisis in the country. Furthermore, after regaining control over Afghanistan, the caretaker government banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school and subsequently closed university doors to girls as well. In its latest action, the current government has also prohibited girls from studying in medical institutes, thereby completely depriving them of access to formal education.

Greek authorities have recently announced that the victims and survivors of the capsized boat in the waters of Greece are citizens of Afghanistan. International media, citing Greek officials, reported that this incident occurred on Friday, December 20, on the eastern island of Rhodes, near the Turkish border. The Associated Press reported that the boat capsized as a result of a maneuver by a ship trying to escape from a patrol vessel, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. Additionally, the Greek Coast Guard stated yesterday that a total of 18 migrants (12 men, three women, and three minors), all of whom are Afghan citizens, were rescued. It has also been reported that the deceased were from Afghanistan. Officials mentioned that some of the migrants were hospitalized, with one in critical condition. Two Turkish citizens, aged 12 and 19, were arrested as suspected traffickers. The report noted that the Greek Coast Guard is searching for survivors or additional victims. The sinking near Rhodes marks the second deadly incident involving migrant drownings in the past week. According to Greek government information, it is expected that the number of migrants traveling illegally to Greece this year will exceed 60,000, with Syrians making up the largest group, followed by Afghan citizens, Egyptians, Eritreans, and Palestinians. Afghan citizens make their way to Turkey for migration to Europe, primarily traveling through Greece to reach European countries.

Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Representative for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan, has called on Afghan men, both inside and outside the country, to stand alongside their wives, daughters, and sisters and support a hopeful and sustainable future for Afghanistan. In an open letter marking the second anniversary of the ban on girls' education at universities and women's work in non-governmental organizations, Ms. Amiri stated that the world is facing a test regarding the women and girls of Afghanistan. She warned that if the world abandons Afghan women and girls, the rights of women and girls everywhere, far beyond Afghanistan, will be at risk. She believes that Afghan women and girls will ultimately prevail, noting that this is not the first time they have faced defeat in Afghanistan's history. In part of her letter, Rina Amiri emphasized that to ensure the superiority of Afghan women and girls, collective support for them is essential. The U.S. Special Representative for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan said that Afghan men, both inside and outside the country, must stand beside their wives, daughters, and sisters (Afghan women) to support a hopeful and sustainable future for the country. Additionally, she wrote that the international community must continue to prioritize human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, in any dealings with the current government. This American official stated that progress in improving diplomatic and economic relations must be meaningfully linked to specific actions aimed at reversing extremist policies targeting women and girls. She wrote: "As long as the dreams of Afghan women and girls remain dim, Afghanistan will remain in darkness. The road will be long, but despair and giving up are not options." This comes as the interim government has imposed severe restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan over the past three years. Currently, women and girls are denied the right to education, work, and freedom of movement. The current government has recently banned medical education for women and girls, a decision that could have a detrimental impact on women's and girls' access to health services.

Richard Bennett, the UN Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, states that the system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity, and the marginalization of women and girls in Afghanistan is pervasive and systematic. Mr. Bennett notes that this discriminatory and disrespectful system is enforced throughout Afghanistan through decrees, edicts, and official policies, often accompanied by violent punishments. He made these remarks in an interview with the organization "Education Cannot Wait" and expressed concern over the continued ban on girls' education. He emphasized that the closure of schools has a devastating impact on Afghan girls. In part of this discussion, the UN Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan warned about the long-term consequences of banning girls from education, stating that this situation leads to early or forced marriages, depression, self-harm, including suicide, and suicidal thoughts among girls. According to Richard Bennett, the ban on girls' education affects Afghan society as a whole. He pointed out that when half of a country's population is excluded from participation, progress becomes impossible. He described the caretaker government's restrictions on women as extensive and severe, stating that the actions of this group constitute "crimes against humanity, particularly gender-based violence." He stated that according to international law, the current government's policies are considered a "crime." Richard Bennett remarked that what is happening in Afghanistan is not only unacceptable but also inhumane. It should be noted that it has been over 1,185 days since girls above the sixth grade have been deprived of education. Additionally, it has been more than two years since girls have been barred from university-level studies. Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council, has been accused by current government officials of "propagandizing" against the government due to his reports on the deterioration of women's rights in Afghanistan. The current government has banned Bennett's travel to Afghanistan.

Local officials in Ghazni province have reported that the death toll from fatal traffic accidents last night (Wednesday, December 19) in the province stands at 52 dead and 71 injured. The two incidents occurred around 11:00 PM on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in the Shahbaz area of Ghazni city and in the Nani Bazaar area of the Andar district. Hamidullah Nisar, the head of Information and Culture in Ghazni, told the media that in these two accidents, which are 15 kilometers apart, buses of type 580 collided with a gas tanker and a trailer. Mr. Nisar emphasized that at least 52 people lost their lives in these two incidents, and there is a possibility that the death toll may rise. He noted that among the victims and the injured are women and children, with the identities of nine female victims having been confirmed so far. The head of Information and Culture in Ghazni stated that the condition of some of the injured is described as critical. Local officials in Ghazni did not provide any information regarding the cause of these two accidents. Poor road conditions, lack of caution, and non-compliance with traffic regulations are considered contributing factors to traffic accidents in the country. Most accidents result from collisions or rollovers of speeding vehicles. It should be noted that from time to time, large passenger vehicles also get into accidents, resulting in heavy casualties. The Kabul-Kandahar highway is known as one of the most accident-prone routes for passenger buses. Additionally, in the past 48 hours, as a result of traffic incidents in Khost, Paktia, Ghazni, Nimroz, and Badakhshan, five people, including one child, have lost their lives.

The Medical Council exam, known as the "Exit" exam, will this year only be conducted for male graduates of medical and dental programs, with no participation from girls. The National Examination Authority, which is managed by the interim government, has announced the schedule for this exam and has only mentioned the participation of male candidates in its announcement. In a press release, the authority stated that the biometric registration of candidates will begin on Monday of next week (December 24) and the exam will take place on December 31. It is worth noting that last year, the Medical Council exam was also held only for boys, with girls not in attendance. The Medical Council had stated that in the second phase, the exam would be conducted for female graduates, but this promise was not fulfilled. It should be noted that without passing the Medical Council exam, graduates of medical programs cannot obtain a work license. Since coming to power, the interim government has banned education and schooling for girls. In its latest restriction, the current government has prohibited girls from studying medical fields in institutes. While the current government has restricted medical education for women and girls, Afghanistan is facing a shortage of female healthcare personnel. Additionally, in some areas, treatment of female patients by male doctors has also been prohibited. The current government's restrictions have resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education. Moreover, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, working in domestic and international NGOs, and even in UN offices in Afghanistan.

The World Food Program (WFP) has announced that by the year 2025, more than 3.5 million children under five and 1.15 million pregnant and breastfeeding women in Afghanistan will face acute malnutrition. On Tuesday, December 17, the organization published a report providing statistics indicating that malnutrition in Afghanistan has significantly increased compared to last year, exacerbating the nutritional crisis in the country. The WFP attributed the primary causes of this situation to severe poverty, widespread diseases, and limited access to healthcare services. Furthermore, the organization emphasized the urgent need for action to prevent the situation from worsening. According to the WFP report, 11.6 million people, equivalent to 25% of the population, are in a state of crisis or worse, while this figure had reached 15.3 million in 2023. The report also indicates that forecasts show that during the winter months from November 2024 to March 2025, the number of individuals in need of urgent food assistance will increase to 14.8 million. The report highlights that malnutrition in Afghanistan is rising sharply, with approximately 3.5 million children under five and 1.15 million pregnant and breastfeeding women at risk of acute malnutrition by 2025. This represents a 28% increase compared to 2024. The WFP emphasized that eight out of ten families in Afghanistan cannot secure enough food for their dietary needs. To address this crisis, the organization has initiated its winter operations and plans to provide food assistance to over six million people from November 2024 to April 2025. The report states that among those in need, 1.5 million individuals live in hard-to-reach areas such as Badakhshan, Bamyan, Ghor, and Daikundi, which will face heavy snowfall. According to the organization, over 62,000 tons of food have already been sent to these areas, and distribution has begun for 854,000 people. Additionally, the report mentions that nearly 819,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women are enrolled in the organization's malnutrition prevention programs. The World Food Program further stressed the immediate need for increased international support and warned that without effective assistance, the achievements made in combating food crises will be at risk of being lost in Afghanistan.

The World Food Program has recently announced that with the arrival of winter, millions of families in Afghanistan are facing cold without enough food. Today (Monday, December 16), the program stated on its X account that most of those in need are forced to make an impossible choice. It further mentioned that these families have to choose between feeding their children or keeping them warm. The World Food Program had previously stated that 14.8 million people in Afghanistan would need urgent assistance in the upcoming winter. Additionally, OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has indicated that $603.5 million is urgently needed to address vulnerable areas in Afghanistan during the winter season. This office had requested $3.06 billion for humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan this year; however, it is reported that part of this funding has been secured. According to OCHA, over 23 million people in Afghanistan are in need of assistance. Foreign relief organizations have also predicted that a difficult winter awaits the people of Afghanistan.

A number of protesting women and members of the Purple Saturdays movement have criticized the performance of Rosa Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, accusing her of failing to defend human rights and social justice, and calling for her dismissal. On Sunday, December 25, the Purple Saturdays movement issued a statement urging the United Nations to immediately change its policies towards Afghanistan and replace Ms. Otunbayeva with a more capable individual. The statement further noted that this organization's engagement policy has not only strengthened the position of the current government but has also directly contributed to the systematic suppression of women's rights. The statement described UNAMA's approach as conciliatory, claiming it indirectly legitimizes the current government and exacerbates the human rights situation in Afghanistan. The protesting women have strongly criticized Rosa Otunbayeva's performance, accusing her of being unable to defend human rights and social justice, and calling for her replacement with a qualified and impartial person who can effectively fulfill UNAMA's mission in Afghanistan. The Purple Saturdays movement also called on all human rights organizations, media, and the international community to increase pressure on the United Nations to ensure that it plays its true role in supporting human rights standards in Afghanistan. Additionally, this movement has urged countries like China and Russia to take seriously the threats and presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The movement emphasized that Afghanistan needs positive change more than ever, asserting that only the establishment of a legitimate, democratic, and decentralized system can provide a sustainable solution to the current crisis. It should be noted that the current government has closed girls' schools beyond the sixth grade and banned women's access to universities and health institutes. The government's restrictions have resulted in millions of girls being deprived of education. Moreover, women have been prohibited from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, working in domestic and international NGOs, and even in UN offices in Afghanistan.