Shir Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the political deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the caretaker government, has urged government leaders to create opportunities for education for everyone. Mr. Stanikzai made this statement yesterday (Saturday, January 18) at a ceremony for the graduation of Hafiz and reciters at the "Mazharul Uloom Niazi" religious school in Khost, stating that there is no excuse for keeping educational institutions closed. He emphasized: “Our request to the leaders of the Islamic Emirate is to unconditionally open the doors of knowledge to everyone within the framework of Islamic principles; the world also has differences with us on this matter.” The deputy of the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that appointments in institutions should be based on meritocracy and that work should be entrusted to qualified individuals. He stated that if the current system has the support of citizens, no power can stand against it. Over the past three years, Abbas Stanikzai has repeatedly called on the caretaker government to provide educational opportunities for all citizens of Afghanistan. He had previously criticized the lack of reopening schools and universities for girls and expressed hope that schools would open “without discrimination” for everyone. It should be noted that for more than three years, the caretaker government has banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school in Afghanistan. The current Ministry of Higher Education has also prevented Afghan women and girls from studying at universities and educational centers. Additionally, the current government has prohibited women's and girls' education in health institutions. These actions by the current government have resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education. It is worth mentioning that alongside these restrictions, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

Tajuddin Ivali, UNICEF representative in Afghanistan, emphasized the need to increase efforts to support the people of this country, especially children, in facing the water crisis. Mr. Ivali warned that the water crisis continues to threaten the lives and survival of children in Afghanistan. On Friday, January 18, he published a message on his X account, expressing gratitude to UNICEF partners for their cooperation with Afghanistan in 2024. According to this UN official, UNICEF provided assistance to one million people, including children, in the past year. Tajuddin Ivali has urged his partners to continue their efforts this year to address the water crisis in the country. While expressing concern over the escalating water crisis in Afghanistan, this UN official noted that the European Union's delegation for Afghanistan stated in August of this year that drought, pollution, and excessive water use threaten the water resources of the people. Moreover, according to a report published by the United Nations Development Programme at the end of 2023, Afghanistan ranked sixth among countries vulnerable to climate change. Additionally, Roza Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan), stated that Afghanistan remains vulnerable to climate change. UNAMA posted on its X account that Ms. Otunbayeva made these remarks at the "National Climate Change Conference" in Kabul and committed to addressing financial issues related to climate change. The head of UNAMA emphasized that options are being sought to amplify Afghanistan's voice at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference.

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.