Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, has called on the caretaker government to reopen schools and universities for girls and women in the country on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8. Mr. Karzai made these remarks on his X account, stating: "Women of Afghanistan have been present in all struggles and transformations, particularly in the independence movements and the flourishing of culture, standing side by side with men and fulfilling their responsibilities towards the development and progress of the homeland." He further emphasized: "I believe that the current and future of Afghanistan necessitates the meaningful presence and participation of women alongside men in all areas. I insist that to this end, opportunities for advancement and roles for women must be created, and the conditions for education and learning for girls must be provided." The former president of Afghanistan expressed: "With wishes for happiness and success for the women of the country and in commemoration of International Women's Day, I once again urge the Islamic caretaker government to open the doors of schools and universities to girls so that with the flourishing of the talents of young people, both girls and boys, the path for our country's progress and development can be paved, allowing Afghanistan to free itself from external dependency based on the knowledge and capabilities of its own children." This comes as yesterday marked March 8, International Women's Day. This day is observed while women and girls in Afghanistan face severe restrictions. It should be noted that over the past three years, the caretaker government has imposed numerous restrictions on citizens, especially women and girls. Currently, girls and women are barred from attending school, university, and work, and are deprived of their most basic rights. In addition, women and girls are 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. Meanwhile, the caretaker government in Afghanistan has repeatedly stated that citizens' rights, including women's rights, have been increasingly secured within the framework of Islamic laws in the country.

UNESCO, the educational, scientific, and cultural organization of the United Nations, has warned that if restrictions continue until 2030, the number of girls deprived of education will exceed four million. In a statement, the organization noted that the current government's restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan have already affected approximately 1.5 million female students. UNESCO has identified Afghanistan as the only country in the world where girls are banned from attending school. The organization added that this concerning regression occurs at a time when Afghanistan, after decades of progress, is now witnessing the destruction of women's educational achievements. It is worth mentioning that officials from the current government have consistently referred to the ban on girls' education as an internal issue for Afghanistan, emphasizing that their policies are based on Islamic Sharia. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the current government, stated in a message on the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day, that the rights of Afghan women in an Islamic and Afghan society differ significantly from the rights of women in Western societies. Mr. Mujahid said that when considering these differences, it should be taken into account that the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan are being upheld. Despite this, the caretaker government has imposed numerous restrictions on citizens over the past three years, particularly against women and girls. Currently, girls and women are banned from attending school, university, and work, and are deprived of their most basic rights. Additionally, women and girls are 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. This comes as the caretaker government in Afghanistan has repeatedly claimed that citizens' rights, including women's rights, have been increasingly secured within the framework of Islamic laws in the country.

On March 8, or International Women's Day, UNAMA (the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) has called on the interim government to lift the restrictions that deprive women and girls of their fundamental rights. In a statement released today (Saturday, March 9), UNAMA noted that women and girls in Afghanistan are systematically deprived of their rights in the areas of education, work, and social life. The organization emphasized that these restrictions not only violate human rights but also pose barriers to Afghanistan's progress, deepening poverty and isolation for millions. Part of the statement mentioned that the United Nations urges member states to demonstrate solidarity by amplifying the voices of Afghan women, supporting their leadership, and investing in their resilience and future. The statement also quoted Rosa Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, saying that the organization stands in full solidarity with Afghan women and girls and remains united in condemning their enduring erasure from social life. Ms. Otunbayeva emphasized, "We will continue to do what we can to invest in the resilience and leadership of Afghan women and girls, which is key to a prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan." She added that despite extraordinary challenges, Afghan women and girls continue to lead, build, and support their communities, and it is essential to place these women at the forefront of efforts to address current and emerging challenges. The United Nations stated that Afghan women have clearly expressed their demands to the international community, which include advocacy for the restoration of their rights and freedoms. Alison Davidian, head of the UN Women’s section in Afghanistan, stated: "Our response to the erasure of women from social life is a test of our commitment to women and girls around the world. We must stand with Afghan women because our lives depend on it." This comes at a time when the interim government has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls since taking control of Afghanistan. Currently, women and girls in Afghanistan are deprived of education, work, and freedom of movement. In these past three and a half years, despite global calls for respect for the rights of Afghan women, the current government has intensified these restrictions.

A group of protesting women, on the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day, stated that women in Afghanistan, particularly human rights activists, journalists, and female protesters, are facing one of the most severe humanitarian and legal crises in the world. The protesting women issued a statement calling on the international community and global organizations to increase pressure on the interim government to lift the educational, occupational, and social bans imposed on women. They emphasized that systematic restrictions, widespread violence, and the complete exclusion of women from social, political, and economic spheres in Afghanistan are clear examples of human rights violations and gender apartheid. The statement from the protesting women noted that since the current government's takeover, women have been deprived of their rights to education, work, freedom of expression, and participation in society. Furthermore, it mentioned that safe and legal pathways for the exit and resettlement of female protesters, journalists, human rights activists, and former military personnel facing threats and repression in Afghanistan and neighboring countries must be established. It is worth noting that over the past three years, the interim government has imposed numerous restrictions on citizens, especially women and girls. Currently, girls and women are banned from attending school, university, and work, and are deprived of their most basic rights. Additionally, women and girls are prohibited from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, receiving medical examinations by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan. This comes despite the interim government repeatedly claiming that citizens' rights, including women's rights, have been increasingly secured within the framework of Islamic laws in the country.

The conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) parties in Germany have urged the country's Foreign Ministry to suspend the acceptance of Afghan citizens until a new government is formed. These parties stated that the decision regarding the entry of Afghan citizens into Germany should be entrusted to the new government, which should determine whether to grant asylum to Afghan citizens or not. Andrea Lindholz, deputy head of the parliamentary group for the CDU and CSU, told AFP that Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock should not be organizing two flights to Germany each week. She said, “It is astonishing that the Foreign Ministry has scheduled the next charter flight for Afghan citizens to Germany for Wednesday.” Ms. Lindholz criticized this move, describing the continued acceptance of Afghans into Germany as "highly questionable," adding, "In a non-transparent process, individuals are selected whose identities have apparently turned out to be false." The CDU and CSU secured the most votes in the recent federal elections in Germany. Last week, Germany transferred 155 Afghan citizens on a charter flight from Islamabad to Berlin. Officials announced that more than half of these individuals arrived through the federal acceptance program, while others came via local staff acceptance programs and human rights lists. According to the Foreign Ministry, all of these individuals completed the acceptance process and visa application, including interviews and security checks. Reports indicate that Germany has accepted over 48,000 Afghan citizens since the current government took control of Afghanistan. However, the continued acceptance of Afghans into Germany has sparked reactions from politicians in the country. It is worth noting that following the current government's takeover of Afghanistan, a significant number of civil society activists, human rights defenders, women's rights advocates, journalists, LGBTQ+ individuals, former military personnel, and Afghans who collaborated with foreign forces have fled to Pakistan and Iran due to fears of retribution or while awaiting their asylum requests in European and American countries. Some of them are still waiting for their asylum applications to be processed.

Eleanor Sanders, the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador at the United Nations, condemned the ongoing repression and educational and occupational bans on women and girls in Afghanistan. She urged the international community to maintain collective pressure on the interim government to lift these "inhumane" restrictions. Ms. Sanders made these remarks at the fifty-eighth session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva, describing the prohibition of women from accessing medical education, including nursing, midwifery, and dentistry, as "horrific." She further emphasized that these actions are a blatant violation of human rights. The UK's Human Rights Ambassador at the UN also called on the leaders of the current Afghan government to lift these restrictions. Eleanor Sanders stated: "A bright future for all Afghans requires respect for the rights of women and girls." Additionally, the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador at the UN highlighted the importance of continuing international support for the people of Afghanistan, noting that the UK is committed to providing services and support for vulnerable groups in Afghanistan with a pledge of £171 million in humanitarian aid. She stressed that the international community must maintain pressure on the current government to retreat from its repressive policies and ensure that the rights of all Afghans are upheld. While Eleanor Sanders defends the rights of Afghan women and girls, the interim government has prohibited girls above sixth grade from attending school since regaining control over Afghanistan. Subsequently, they also closed universities to girls. In a recent move, they banned girls from studying in medical institutes, thereby completely depriving them of access to formal education. Moreover, women and girls have been barred from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, working in local and international NGOs, and even accessing UN offices in Afghanistan.

Reports indicate that 82 Afghan female students in Oman are at risk of expulsion and forced return to Afghanistan due to cuts in U.S. aid to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The reports state that these girls were transferred to the "Middle East College" in Muscat with the support of the Women's Scholarship Foundation (WSE) in late 2024, and their number has reached 82. These students say that changes in U.S. government policies have led to the cessation of financial support, and now they are facing the threat of forced expulsion. In conversations with the media, they stated: "If we are forced to return to Afghanistan, our lives and education will be jeopardized due to severe restrictions on girls' education and security threats." The students emphasized: "We have sought immediate assistance from the U.S. Embassy to find ways to ensure our safety and continue our education." They also called on the international community, particularly the United States, to seriously examine their situation and prevent their forced return to Afghanistan. They believe that their education is not only beneficial for their personal growth but also critically important for the stability and progress of Afghanistan as future representatives of their country. This comes after Donald Trump issued a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid on his first day in office. The White House announcement stated that these aids would be halted until a thorough review and assessment of their alignment with new U.S. policies. It is noteworthy that this order led to the suspension of operations by the U.S. Agency for International Development worldwide, disrupting essential services such as food, medical assistance, and humanitarian aid across the globe.

David Heyman, a prominent Scottish actor, has recently announced that members of the interim government of Afghanistan are sending their daughters to the training center of the charity organization "Spirit Aid," which he financially supports and manages. The Herald reported, citing this actor, that around 80 male and female students are studying at this educational center. David Heyman did not specify in which province of Afghanistan this training center is located. He emphasized, "I have devoted my adult life to working for change through my charity. Through Spirit Aid, I am doing my small part. I still have my small educational center in Afghanistan." It is worth noting that the interim government has banned the education of girls above the sixth grade after regaining control of Afghanistan and has also closed the doors of universities and medical institutes to girls and women. This famous Scottish actor has stated his intention to perform a play about the situation of women in Afghanistan in the future. He says that Afghan women are no longer considered citizens and cannot laugh or sing in their homes; their education is limited to primary school, and they cannot choose a profession. David Heyman established the charity "Spirit Aid" in 2001 for humanitarian activities. According to information published on the organization's website, they have been operating in Afghanistan since 2002. The organization stated that it provides health services to deprived and remote communities in northern Afghanistan through mobile clinics.