Officials at the Ministry of Information and Culture of the caretaker government have announced that the current government has introduced alternative work opportunities for singers and local musicians in Afghanistan. They can engage in composing religious poetry (Naat) and producing Islamic songs. Khabib Ghafran, spokesperson for the ministry, stated to the media that artists and singers can now collaborate fully with the caretaker government in composing Naat (religious poetry) and producing Islamic songs. Mr. Ghafran emphasized, "Our departments have contacted individuals who used to sing and considered themselves artists, inviting them to come and utilize their talents in areas that do not conflict with authentic Afghan culture, particularly in composition, Naat writing, and producing Islamic songs." He added that the Ministry of Information and Culture supports art forms that "do not contradict authentic Afghan culture and Islamic law." The spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture asserted that Afghanistan has strong artists and singers in the fields of song, poetry, and recitation. Khabib Ghafran further mentioned that what was previously referred to as music or singing, which was part of Afghan culture, unfortunately, represented a misdefinition of music, and authentic Afghan culture does not necessitate support for it. It is worth noting that the caretaker government considers music to be forbidden and has banned it in Afghanistan, confiscating and destroying musical instruments multiple times. All those involved in this artistic field have also lost their livelihoods. It remains unclear whether artists have approached this ministry for collaboration; however, most of them claim that the current government does not have a positive view of singers and musicians. Mirmufton, a local singer and a prominent figure in Afghan music known for his unique style, is one of those who has remained in the country since the current government came to power again in Afghanistan. This famous local singer has nearly abandoned his art and singing, stating he is now engaged in farming. Additionally, under the current government's rule in Afghanistan, there are no concerts, music programs in the media, or musical performances at personal and family events. Many artists report feeling isolated and have little hope for the future. A significant number of artists have been forced to leave Afghanistan. Some have migrated to Iran, while others have gone to Pakistan. Some music professionals from Afghanistan have moved to other countries, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, India, and Western nations.

Following the government's restrictions on the education of girls and women, the Education Department of Herat Province has prohibited the education of girls above the sixth grade in training courses. This letter, a copy of which has been provided to the Goharshad media outlet, was sent by the Education Department of Herat Province to educational centers on "Tuesday, 24th of December." The letter, signed by Mawlawi Rahmatullah Jabir, head of education in Herat, states: "According to the decision of the Support Commission for the approved regulations and the order for enjoining good and forbidding wrong in Herat dated 16 December and the decree of the Amir al-Mu'minin dated 4th of Wray, teaching students above the sixth grade in the female section is suspended until further notice." The Education Department in Herat has requested educational centers to ensure the implementation of this directive. The letter states that according to the order of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, leader of the current government, education for girls above the sixth grade in public and private schools and training institutes is suspended until further notice, and this order also applies to educational courses. Additionally, a responsible person from one of the educational centers in Herat told Goharshad media that these centers have been instructed both verbally and in writing not to enroll female students above the sixth grade anymore. Despite schools being closed to girls above the sixth grade, these girls were previously learning English or school subjects in training courses. It is unclear whether these new restrictions are only being enforced in Herat or if they apply to other provinces as well. This comes at a time when the Department for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong had previously warned educational center officials in Herat not to allow women wearing mantos (long coats) to enter. Earlier this month, the activities of women-only cafes were halted due to the presence of women without hijabs and warnings from the enforcers of good and forbidding wrong. On 13 November last year, enforcers raided several educational centers in Herat, pulling students out of their classes and sealing off the doors of these centers. Despite the closure of schools and universities, girls were allowed to study at health institutes until a few weeks ago, but those institutes have also been closed to them now.

The World Health Organization has announced that decades of war and instability in Afghanistan have exposed many citizens to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In a report, the organization stated that these mental health problems have exacerbated the widespread drug crisis in the country, which now affects one in three families. The report mentioned that Rosa Otunbayeva, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), along with Lisa M. Butenheim, Assistant Secretary-General for Support Operations, and representatives from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, visited a treatment and rehabilitation center for women and children in Kabul. This center, which operates with financial support from the European Union, provides comprehensive medical and educational services to women and children affected by substance abuse. After the visit, Ms. Otunbayeva stated, "I am deeply inspired by the resilience of the women and children here. This center is a symbol of the power of hope and international cooperation that gives these individuals a chance for recovery and a better future." She emphasized the vital role of international support in addressing the drug crisis in Afghanistan. Achievements and Challenges The report indicated that in 2024, the center had accepted 640 women and children, provided treatment for 602 individuals, and followed up with over 900 others. The report noted that in the women's section, educational programs such as sewing and vocational training are being implemented to help women acquire self-sufficiency skills during their recovery process. According to the report, over the past two years, these organizations have provided medical and educational services to more than 170,000 people, with 87,558 individuals participating in awareness programs. Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime announced that opium production in Afghanistan increased by 30 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. According to this office's statistics, despite a directive from the Taliban leader, 433 tons of opium were produced in Afghanistan this year.

The ban on Afghan women's employment in domestic and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has reached its two-year mark under the interim government. Two years ago, the Ministry of Economy issued a letter prohibiting women and girls from working in NGOs and organizations. On December 24, 2022, the Ministry of Economy of the interim government declared in a written statement that the work of women and girls in all NGOs, including United Nations offices, was banned. The letter stated that if institutions defied this order, their operating licenses would be revoked. Following this government decision, several humanitarian organizations suspended their activities in Afghanistan, while others reduced their operations. This current government's ban, alongside women's unemployment, has led to an increase in domestic violence, mental health issues, rising poverty, and has disrupted aid delivery to those in need over the past two years. This action by the current government has sparked strong reactions from aid organizations and human rights entities over the past two years as well. Additionally, some women who lost their jobs due to the current government's ban say they have faced numerous economic challenges over the past two years and have no means to support their families. Halima, one of these women, states that poverty and the illness of her parents have soured her sweetest years of youth. She and her sister were the sole breadwinners for their family of seven. Halima, a resident of Herat province, says: "My sister and I were the only ones paying for the expenses of our five sisters, father, and mother; but for two years now, we have both been unemployed. My father is also sick. Our living conditions had improved for two years because we studied hard for years to escape poverty and misery; but when we were told we could no longer work, we are currently suffering from economic problems and as dignified women, we do not know how to provide for ourselves." Furthermore, during more than three years of their rule, the current government has prohibited girls above the sixth grade from education, closed university doors to women and girls, barred women from working in most government offices and all foreign institutions, restricted their access to recreational parks, denied them the right to travel without a male guardian, and most recently deprived women and girls of education in medical institutes.

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.