Sources among Afghan migrants in Pakistan say that Nikbakht Arefi, a human rights activist and head of the “Window of Hope” women’s movement, has been arrested by Pakistani police along with members of her family. A source said Arefi was arrested Wednesday, October 28, together with her sister, Horia Arefi, and two other family members. The source added that she and her family members were transferred to Haji Camp. The Window of Hope women’s movement has also confirmed Nikbakht Arefi’s arrest. No further details have been released about the family’s arrest or their current situation. The arrests come as the detention and deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan continues. The situation has heightened concerns about the safety and fate of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, particularly women, human rights activists, and journalists.

The United Nations has said that at least 25 women and girls are killed each day in armed conflicts around the world. In a post on its X account, the organization said the share of civilian casualties made up of women and girls had doubled compared with 2021. The UN stressed in its statement that women and girls pay the price of war but continue to be largely excluded from peacebuilding processes. It added that the growing share of civilian casualties among women and girls reflects the severe impact armed conflicts have on their lives. The organization also underscored the need for women to participate in peace processes. Despite bearing the consequences of war, women continue to be denied a role in efforts to bring about peace. UN Women has also reported that around 750 million women and girls now live within 50 kilometres of active conflict zones. That figure is about 40 million higher than in 2024 and is unprecedented since 1990.

Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, has recently emphasized the role of women in leadership, advocacy and peacebuilding. In a statement, DiCarlo said the efforts of women and girls in Afghanistan and other countries affected by crises must be accompanied by concrete action to bring about tangible change in their lives. She stressed that women from Afghanistan to Syria and beyond continue, despite difficult circumstances, to defend their rights, participate in peace processes and build more stable societies. She added that women’s determination and resolve must be matched by specific and effective measures. The UN official said implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda is not limited to declaring support; it requires practical steps to improve women’s situation and bring about real change in their lives. Her remarks come as women and girls in Afghanistan face widespread restrictions on education, employment and participation in public life. The United Nations has repeatedly stressed the need to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls and to create opportunities for their meaningful participation in political and peace processes. During her recent visit to Afghanistan, DiCarlo also met with civil society representatives, women activists and female UN staff. She raised concerns with officials of the de facto authorities about restrictions imposed on women and girls, particularly girls’ access to education.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that violations of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan are increasing, and that they face severe restrictions. Guterres said girls and women are being denied the education they need—a fundamental right. In part of his remarks, he pointed to rising violence and discrimination in conflict-affected areas and stressed the importance of women’s participation in peace negotiations. He also said that women leaders, politicians, journalists and human rights defenders are being sidelined and targeted. The UN secretary-general called for increased financial support for women-led organisations and for those responsible for violence against women to be held accountable. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities have barred women and girls from education. In their latest restriction, they closed medical institutes to women and girls, even as the country’s health sector faces a shortage of personnel. This move has left millions of schoolgirls unable to continue their education. Women have also been barred from going to sports clubs, restaurants and public baths; being examined by male doctors; travelling without a mahram (male guardian); and working for domestic and international non-governmental organisations, as well as UN offices in Afghanistan. According to reports, if the ban remains in place, nearly four million girls could be denied an education by 2030.

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, has said that placing women and girls at the centre of peacebuilding helps make peace agreements more durable and strengthens communities’ resilience. In a post on her X account Bahous wrote that women’s leadership and their security are both essential to national and international security. In part of her post, she stressed the importance of investing in women, peace and security, adding that such investment is essential to keeping people safe and protecting their rights. Her remarks come as Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, has also expressed concern over the continued denial of education to girls in Afghanistan. She warned that Afghanistan is facing the world’s most severe crisis of women’s rights. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities have barred women and girls from education. In their latest restriction, they closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, even as the country’s health sector faces a shortage of personnel. The move has left millions of schoolgirls unable to continue their education. Women have also been barred from going to sports clubs, restaurants and public baths; being examined by male doctors; travelling without a mahram (male guardian); and working for domestic and international non-governmental organisations, as well as UN offices in Afghanistan. According to reports, if the ban remains in place, nearly four million girls could be denied an education by 2030.

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, has warned that Afghanistan is facing the world’s most severe crisis of women’s rights. Gumbonzvanda made the remarks at a meeting on women, peace and security, expressing concern over the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan. “Afghanistan, which today is facing the world’s most severe crisis of women’s rights, is denying girls an education that could transform their lives,” she said. She also warned that wars have become more “deadly” for women and girls than ever before, and said the world must not remain indifferent to the rising number of civilian casualties and the suffering of women and girls. The UN official said that more than 37,000 civilians were killed in armed conflicts last year, a quarter of them women and girls. According to her, more than 750 million women and girls live within 50 kilometres of areas affected by active conflict, and at least 25 women and girls are killed every day. The Deputy Executive Director of UN Women said that war has also seriously jeopardised women’s access to healthcare and pregnancy and childbirth services. Referring to the situation in Gaza, she said that the destruction of hospitals and maternity centres, and disruption to access to essential supplies, had been accompanied by a 41 per cent decline in live births and a 300 per cent increase in miscarriages. Gumbonzvanda also expressed concern over the rise in conflict-related sexual violence, saying that the United Nations documented 9,788 cases of such violence in 2025. The UN official called for women to be included in all peace negotiations as decision-makers, and for funding to be provided to women’s organisations. In Afghanistan, women and girls have been deprived of the right to education, employment, participation in public life and many other fundamental rights.

Naseer Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan’s acting permanent representative to the United Nations, says no religion or culture justifies discrimination against, harassment of, or denying women and girls access to education and public life. In a post on his X account marking United Nations Day and the 81st anniversary of the UN’s founding, Faiq said it was concerning that religious interpretations were being used as a tool to justify systematic discrimination against women and girls, including their exclusion from education, employment, and public life. “Discriminatory policies should not be equated with Islam or Afghan culture. Denying people their fundamental rights is in clear contradiction with Islamic principles,” he added. The acting permanent representative said freedom of religion and thought in Afghanistan faces serious and growing restrictions. He also noted that Afghanistan’s Shia, Hazara, and Ismaili communities continue to face discrimination, restrictions on religious practices, and security threats. He said: “The de facto authorities have undermined Afghanistan’s longstanding religious and cultural diversity by restricting religious ceremonies, interfering in the affairs of religious institutions, and imposing their beliefs on others”. Faiq noted that the United Nations has stood alongside the people of Afghanistan through periods of development, displacement, and crisis. He said strengthening this cooperation and working toward a peaceful and inclusive Afghanistan are among the UN’s priorities. He also underscored Afghanistan’s commitment to its international obligations and to maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring countries. For the past five years, women and girls in Afghanistan have faced sweeping restrictions on education, higher studies, and employment, and have been denied many social rights and opportunities.

Nazanin Wali, an Afghan researcher, has received a merit award from Rome Business School to pursue further studies in artificial intelligence. Wali has dedicated this academic achievement to the women and girls of Afghanistan. She previously received a full scholarship from the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan. With that opportunity, she pursued studies in psychology at the American University of Central Asia and Bard College, and received an honorary diploma. Wali has stressed the importance of women’s and girls’ access to education in Afghanistan, saying that education is a fundamental right. She believes Afghan women have great ability and talent despite facing discrimination and numerous obstacles, and that with equal opportunities they can make significant achievements in science and technology. Wali’s achievement comes as the de facto authorities have barred women and girls from education and higher studies since taking control of Afghanistan. In their latest restriction, they closed medical institutes to women and girls, even as the country’s health sector faces a shortage of staff. The authorities’ actions have kept millions of school-age girls from pursuing their education. Women have also been barred from going to gyms, restaurants, and public bathhouses; being examined by male doctors; travelling without a male guardian; and working for domestic and international NGOs, as well as UN offices in Afghanistan. According to reports, if the ban continues, nearly four million girls could be deprived of education by 2030.

Zarqa Yaftali, a women’s rights and girls’ education activist, has won the Advocacy and Support category of the first “One Possible Future” awards, presented by the Nation Soul Institute. In a statement, the institute said the award recipients were selected and confirmed through a process developed by specialist advisers and mentors with substantial personal experience in creating social impact. The statement said that 12 people were recognized across 10 categories in this year’s “One Possible Future” awards for their contributions to leadership, creativity, advocacy, and social impact. Yaftali said the honor pays tribute to the courage and resilience of Afghan women and girls, who continue to advocate for their rights, dignity, freedom, and education despite profound challenges. She dedicated the award to the women and girls of Afghanistan. Yaftali added that Afghan women and girls inspire her ongoing commitment to justice, equality, and a future in which every woman and girl can learn, grow, and shape her own life. Yaftali’s award comes as the de facto authorities have barred women and girls from education since taking control of Afghanistan. Most recently, they closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, even as the country’s health sector faces a shortage of personnel. The authorities’ actions have left millions of girls unable to continue their education. Women have also been barred from going to sports clubs, restaurants, and public baths; being examined by male doctors; travelling without a male guardian; and working for domestic and international non-governmental organizations, or even at UN offices in Afghanistan. According to reports, if the ban remains in place, nearly four million girls could be deprived of education by 2030.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that millions of children in Afghanistan are facing risks caused by climate change. In a statement, the organization said Afghanistan ranks first among South Asian countries in terms of children’s vulnerability to climate change. UNICEF added that millions of children in Afghanistan are simultaneously exposed to at least three climate hazards, including drought, floods and heatwaves. Wildfires and dust and sandstorms are among the other hazards threatening children. UNICEF said these events disrupt children’s access to essential services, including safe drinking water, healthcare and sanitation facilities. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s Representative in Afghanistan, said access to safe water is one of the most urgent ways to protect children’s health, dignity and future amid the climate crisis. Various United Nations agencies warned in 2025 that Afghanistan would experience its most severe drought. Afghanistan has been experiencing prolonged drought for several years.