Hussein Ibrahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, states that education for girls is not only a fundamental right but also recognized as a vital investment for Islamic communities. Mr. Taha made these remarks at a two-day conference titled "Education for Girls in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities," held in Pakistan. He emphasized that the progress of Islamic communities is not possible without the participation of women in all areas. He stressed that to achieve sustainable development, more effective and rapid steps must be taken to realize education for girls and women in Muslim communities. He highlighted the need for sustainable policies and appropriate financial resources to be allocated for the education of girls and women in Islamic countries, emphasizing that all countries must be held accountable in this regard. In part of his speech, the Secretary-General referred to the importance of the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad regarding the education of girls and women, adding that Islam does not discriminate in this matter. The two-day meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation focused on education for girls in Muslim countries, particularly in Afghanistan, and began on Saturday, January 22, in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The conference, which concluded yesterday (Sunday, January 13), was attended by over 20 foreign ministers from Islamic countries, scholars from the Islamic world, and representatives from global Islamic organizations. Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and women's rights activist, also spoke at this conference about her experiences in promoting girls' education and urged the international community to provide more support for this movement. Additionally, Muhammad Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the World Muslim League and head of the Muslim Scholars Organization, stated at this meeting that Islam categorically rejects any form of deprivation of women's education, whether partial or complete, at any age, level, or specialization. While this meeting emphasized the importance of girls' education, the interim government has closed schools for girls above sixth grade and universities to female students after seizing control of Afghanistan. Although this action by the current government was initially described as temporary until "further notice," three years later, they have not only maintained this stance but have intensified it. In the latest instance, the current government has also prohibited girls and women from studying in medical educational institutions. Moreover, women and girls have been banned from going to parks, baths, beauty salons, traveling without a male guardian, speaking loudly, and working. These restrictions and prohibitions have sparked widespread global reactions.

The Ministry of Higher Education of the interim government of Afghanistan has announced that 26,000 religious students and scholars will be awarded Bachelor's and Master's degrees (Alia and Alimiyya) after taking an exam. In a statement published on its X account, the Ministry mentioned that the process of taking the exam started on Saturday, 22nd of January, and will continue for six days. The announcement from the Ministry of Higher Education of the current government states that these exams will be held in all 31 provinces of the country. 15,000 religious students and scholars will be awarded a Master's degree (Alimiyya), and 11,000 others will receive a Bachelor's degree (Alia). Additionally, Nida Mohammad Nadeem, the Acting Minister of Higher Education, stated that these exams are designed to determine the academic level of the "respected scholars." It is worth noting that since regaining control over Afghanistan, the interim government has held similar exams several times and awarded academic degrees to religious scholars. Some critics and political analysts say that the current government is attempting to provide university degrees to graduates of religious schools under its control as part of efforts to place its own people in government offices. Over the past three years, the current government has established dozens of religious schools in Afghanistan and is working to attract young people to these schools. Additionally, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the current government, recently stated in Kandahar that he fully supports jihadist schools. While the Ministry of Higher Education is granting Bachelor's and Master's degrees to thousands, the interim government has, since regaining control over Afghanistan, prohibited girls above the sixth grade from attending school, and later closed universities to female students. In the latest move, they have also banned girls from studying in medical institutes, thus completely depriving girls of access to formal education. In addition, women and girls have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a mahram (male guardian), working in local and international non-governmental organizations, and even in the offices of the United Nations in Afghanistan.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has once again expressed concern over the fragility and weakness of Afghanistan's health system, stating that every two hours, a mother loses her life due to preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. In a report, the organization has called on the international community to stand alongside women and youth in Afghanistan. The report highlights that fragile healthcare infrastructure and limited access to services pose serious risks to maternal and newborn health, especially in rural areas. The UNFPA has emphasized the need to continue supporting women and mothers in light of the current state of Afghanistan's health system. Additionally, the organization has warned that without the necessary support, the lives of millions will be even more at risk. Piu Smith, the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at UNFPA, has called for increased resources to provide protective services to pregnant women in Afghanistan. Smith stated, "With increased resources, we can expand our access to provide vital support where it is most needed and help protect the lives of women and youth in Afghanistan to ensure their basic needs are met." The report notes that 63% of Afghanistan's population is under the age of 25. The UNFPA, referencing Afghanistan's young population, stated that youth are vital participants in UNFPA's humanitarian efforts. It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan has had the highest rates of maternal and child mortality for years. However, with the ruling of the interim government, the exodus of specialized doctors from the country, the prohibition of girls' education in medical fields, and the management of the health system by unqualified individuals, concerns about the health situation in Afghanistan have intensified.

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.