The interim government has started the new academic year in Afghanistan for the fifth consecutive year without reopening schools for girls above the sixth grade. The new academic year officially commenced today (Thursday, March 24) in a ceremony attended by several officials from the current government in Kabul and some provinces of the country. As in previous years, there was no mention of reopening schools for girls above the sixth grade at the beginning of this academic year. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the school year in Afghanistan begins without the presence of girls above the sixth grade. The Ministry of Education of the interim government had stated that the curriculum for schools and educational institutions has been changed from the first to the sixth grade, and its publication is underway. After regaining control over Afghanistan, the interim government prohibited girls above the sixth grade from attending school until "further notice." The current government has also banned education for women and girls in universities and higher education institutions, including medical institutes. According to United Nations statistics, with the prohibition on girls above the sixth grade attending school imposed by the current government, more than 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of education. The United Nations, international human rights organizations, and Afghan citizens have repeatedly called for the lifting of the ban on girls' education, but this government has not yet agreed to allow girls to return to schools and universities. The start of the academic year in the country without reopening schools for girls above the sixth grade has sparked significant reactions among international organizations and political figures in the country. Dr. Tajuddin Owaiali, a UNICEF representative in Afghanistan, wrote on his X account coinciding with the reopening of [boys'] schools in Afghanistan: "The message is simple: every girl has the right to go to school." He emphasized the right to education for girls in Afghanistan, stating, "When girls learn, communities become stronger, and the future becomes brighter for everyone." Sanjeev Vijesekera, UNICEF's regional director, also mentioned on his X account that many girls in Afghanistan are waiting for schools to reopen. Richard Lindsay, the UK representative for Afghanistan, also wrote on his X account a few days ago that "depriving women and girls of education harms the country's future and holds back Afghan society."

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has recently stated that social health support plays a key role in enabling effective access for women and girls to quality health services, as well as ensuring their income security during illness and pregnancy. In a report published today (Tuesday, March 24), the organization emphasized that social support and health policies should focus on gender equality to protect women's rights and achieve real outcomes for women and girls worldwide. The report from the United Nations organization notes that even in countries where laws guarantee equal access to health services for women and men, labor market inequalities prevent women from benefiting equally from social advantages and health services. It further states that many women are employed in informal jobs and receive lower wages, which limits their effective access to social health support. The ILO added that social support policies should assist women at all stages of life, from pregnancy to old age, and align these policies with income security and health care to ensure their dignity and well-being. It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan is among the countries facing a high rate of maternal and neonatal mortality. A lack of health facilities, limited access to specialized training, and the great distance from villages to medical 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.

The UN Women section has announced that despite widespread restrictions and instability across Afghanistan, it will continue to provide services to the women and girls of the country. Susan Ferguson, the UN Special Representative for Women in Afghanistan, stated in a press release that this organization operates in the most critical situation for women's rights in the world and is striving to reach hundreds of thousands of women and girls in need. Ms. Ferguson emphasized, "Despite the restrictions on women and girls and the ongoing conflicts, regardless of the circumstances, the UN Women section remains in Afghanistan and continues to provide its services." She called on the international community to continue supporting Afghan women and girls and to prevent the "normalization" of this situation. According to reports, following recent attacks, over 64,000 individuals have been affected during the escalation of conflicts with Pakistan, more than half of whom are women and girls. Many women have been forced to flee for the second or third time in the past year. The UN Women section also reported a serious funding shortfall, stating that nearly $500 million is needed to continue its programs in Afghanistan in 2026. This organization has called for immediate support from the global community to address the needs of Afghan women. Furthermore, the current government has deprived women and girls of education and training since taking control of Afghanistan. In its latest restriction, it closed the doors of medical institutes to girls and women, while the health sector across Afghanistan faces a shortage of personnel. This action by the current government has resulted in millions of schoolgirls being deprived of education and training.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has recently stated that women and girls in Afghanistan are more affected by issues of displacement and climate change than others. In a published report, the agency noted that since 2023, between 600,000 and 1 million people have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries. The report indicates that many of those forcibly returned are living in informal settlements. UN-Habitat emphasized that women and girls in these settlements face greater pressures during climate change events such as floods, droughts, and the diseases that arise from them. The agency also added that women during periods of climate change face increased risks, including exposure to harassment and violence while traversing long distances to obtain water. The report highlighted that insecurity regarding housing, land, and property rights, along with ongoing threats of eviction from their residences, has made life more difficult for women in informal settlements. It further stated that access to housing and land is the most fundamental need for internally displaced persons and returnees from neighboring countries.

As more than 1,638 days pass since girls have been barred from education beyond the sixth grade, the Afghanistan Rights Monitor has once again called for the restoration of the right to education for girls and women across the country. In a message posted on its X account, the organization stated that millions of girls throughout Afghanistan are still deprived of their fundamental right to education. The Afghanistan Rights Monitor emphasized that silence cannot conceal the injustice of the ban on education for girls and women in Afghanistan. The organization criticizes the current government for keeping schools closed and depriving women and girls of education since taking control of Afghanistan. In its latest restriction, it has closed the doors of medical institutes to girls and women, while the health sector across Afghanistan faces a shortage of personnel. This government's action has resulted in millions of female students being unable to pursue their education. Over the past four years, human rights organizations, the United Nations, and various governments have repeatedly called for the lifting of the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan; however, these demands have always been met with rejection by the current government.

The United Nations Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan has recently announced that since 2021 it has supported more than four million women in the country. In a message posted today (Thursday, March 12 ) on its X account, the fund wrote that this number of women and girls have received assistance through programs supported by the fund. The United Nations Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan further emphasized that it supports and stands by women and girls who contribute to their communities. It is worth noting that various United Nations agencies have paid increased attention to women after 2021, following the restrictions imposed by the caretaker government. This comes as the government has deprived women and girls in Afghanistan of education, employment, and personal freedoms. After taking control of Afghanistan, the current government barred women and girls from education and studies. In its latest restriction, it also closed the doors of medical institutes to girls and women, despite the fact that the health sector across Afghanistan faces a shortage of personnel. This action by the current government has caused millions of female students to remain deprived of education. In addition, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, and public bathhouses, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a mahram, and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) in Afghanistan has announced that women's participation in work programs not only creates job opportunities but also strengthens their economic and social resilience and empowerment. In a message posted on its X account, the organization stated that locally-based approaches and community involvement can create a safe environment for women to participate in employment programs. It further noted that the employment-focused investment program has aimed to provide job opportunities for women by combining inclusive hiring, community participation, creating conducive work environments, skill training, and establishing savings mechanisms. The ILO in Afghanistan emphasized that women's participation in these programs has led to enhanced economic and social empowerment. Through these activities, women have earned income, expanded their technical and entrepreneurial skills, and consequently increased their economic security and self-confidence. Additionally, the ILO added that women's presence in these programs has contributed to changing attitudes at the community level; sustained dialogues with the community, inclusive program implementation, and showcasing better achievements for families have led to reduced initial resistance and increased acceptance of women's economic roles in society. It is noteworthy that in recent years, several organizations and institutions have attempted to provide vocational training opportunities for women in remaining sectors. Following the ban on women's work, poverty and hunger increasingly threaten families under the care of women in Afghanistan. Despite these prohibitions, the ILO has previously launched educational and livelihood programs in some limited remaining sectors for women, enabling them to take advantage of the few available opportunities for education and work.