The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that economic insecurity for women and girls in Afghanistan is significantly increasing, with women's economic participation sharply declining to only 7% of Afghan women being employed. In a published report, the organization stated that only 56% of households in 2024 described their living environment as "safe" for women and girls, compared to 72% in 2022. The report indicates that this 16% decrease reflects a significant decline in the sense of security for women in domestic settings. Additionally, the report highlights that "women's economic participation is severely low," with only 7% of women in Afghanistan participating in the labor market compared to 84% of men. The stark disparity illustrates the severe structural and social limitations on women's employment. The UNDP has reported an increase in economic insecurity nationwide, with available data showing that 75% of households are struggling with economic insecurity, a 6% increase from the previous year. The agency emphasized that rising living costs, decreasing incomes, and especially the cessation of humanitarian aid have had severe impacts on vulnerable households, particularly those headed by women. According to the report, 90% of all families and 97% of families led by women have been exposed to economic shocks. It should be noted that Afghanistan ranks at the bottom of the global index for women, peace, and security. International organizations have repeatedly warned that ongoing extensive restrictions on education, employment, and fundamental freedoms for women not only exacerbate gender inequality but also jeopardize the health, welfare, and social stability of the country. Moreover, it has been over 1,300 days since girls above the sixth grade have been deprived of schooling. The current government has also barred girls from attending university and receiving medical training. This government action has resulted in millions of schoolgirls being left without education. In addition, women have been prohibited from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs as well as at UN offices in Afghanistan.

The international organization known as "GENT" has announced that over 9 million children in Afghanistan, especially in the current critical conditions, are in need of emergency educational support. In a published report, the organization stated that this educational crisis is primarily due to political, social, and infrastructural limitations that have broadly impacted children's education in the country. The report mentions that among these 9 million children, 888,000 have disabilities, highlighting the need for special attention to facilitate their access to education and specialized services. Furthermore, it states that the educational crisis in Afghanistan has been exacerbated not only by structural issues and a lack of educational resources but also by complex political challenges. GENT emphasized that nearly 3.7 million children in Afghanistan have dropped out of school, with 60% of them being girls. The organization added that since March 2022, over 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of continuing their education beyond the sixth grade, whereas many of these girls previously attended government schools and schools supported by community-based educational programs. Due to the restrictions imposed by the caretaker government, particularly the ban on educating girls beyond the sixth grade, more than 2.2 million girls are continuously being denied education. This deprivation is compounded by social and cultural restrictions, as well as natural disasters and structural problems within schools. The report also notes that there are various barriers to education in Afghanistan, including economic issues and family poverty, political and social instability, and weak educational infrastructure. According to the report, 18% of families have prevented their children from continuing their education due to natural hazards such as floods and storms. Additionally, many families prioritize meeting their basic needs over education due to economic difficulties, considering education a secondary priority. However, the organization warns that the educational crisis in Afghanistan poses additional social risks beyond academic challenges.

The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the caretaker government has recently warned that it is monitoring social media platforms and that the “unlawful and immoral use of social media” will face legal consequences. Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, the spokesperson for the ministry, stated today (Monday, May 12) in an audio message broadcast by the national television that no individual or institution has the right to use social media for “wrongful and immoral purposes.” In his message, Mr. Khyber emphasized that social media should be used for publishing accurate news, promoting religious and contemporary sciences, strengthening the unity of the Islamic Ummah, and encouraging mutual respect. It should not be a source of prejudice, insult, or moral and intellectual corruption. He further added that the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, using its legal authority and available resources, monitors and takes action against all networks, pages, and accounts that aim to undermine the beliefs, thoughts, and mental well-being of the Ummah. The spokesperson also called on social media users, including those living abroad, to use social media platforms to “defend Islam, promote unity among the Ummah, and uphold moral values.” The ministry has warned that the “immoral and unlawful” use of social media will be subject to legal prosecution. It is worth noting that the current government has already imposed restrictions on the media and journalists, and on several occasions has arrested and imprisoned media workers for not adhering to the laws. Additionally, the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has banned the publication of images of living beings.

According to media reports, a methane gas explosion in a coal mine in the Sughd province of Tajikistan has resulted in the deaths of eight Afghan workers. Afghanistan’s National Radio and Television, which operates under the control of the interim government, cited the Disaster Management Department in Daikundi province as saying that all the victims were residents of this province. The report states that among the deceased, five were from the Shahristan district, two from Miramor, and one from Ashtarlay. The victims have been identified as Kazem Beigi, Abdullah Ahmadi, Hasan Alizadeh, Hossein Bakhsh, Mohammad Amir, Alijan, Ghorban, and Esmail Rahimi. The source emphasized that some of the victims were educated young men. It added that Kazem Beigi was a graduate of the Polytechnic Faculty in Kabul. Another source mentioned that the bodies of the victims were transported to Afghanistan on the morning of Saturday, May 10 (20th of Saur) and arrived in Kunduz province. The newspaper Etelaat reported that the explosion occurred on Friday, May 9 (19th of Saur), at 1:30 p.m. local time in the Sarkuyi coal mines located in Ayni district of Sughd province, Tajikistan. The report cited methane gas as the cause of the explosion. It was further stated that the Afghan workers were employed by an Afghan contractor. The company was associated with individuals named "Reis Rouhollah" and "Taghi Dilsouz" and was said to be collaborating with the Tajik company "Faraz." Tajik authorities and media have not yet commented on the incident. It is worth noting that in recent years, particularly after the current government took control in Afghanistan, many citizens have been forced to migrate to other countries due to unemployment, insecurity, and poor economic conditions. Illegal migration and harsh labor conditions have frequently led to tragic outcomes for Afghan citizens.

FIFA, the International Federation of Association Football, has recently announced its approval to form a women’s football team consisting of Afghan refugees. In a statement, FIFA said that the FIFA Council has approved an action strategy for Afghan women’s football, which includes the establishment of the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT). The statement noted that FIFA is tasked with organizing and facilitating the formation of this team, and that the team should begin its activities as soon as possible. The statement quoted FIFA President Gianni Infantino as saying that the FIFA Council is committed to giving every girl around the world the opportunity to play football. He described the move as “historic.” This comes after the members of the Afghan national women’s football team fled the country following the return of the current regime to power, and are now living in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Albania, Portugal, and the United States. Previously, human rights organizations had called on FIFA to facilitate the return of the Afghan women’s football team to international competition. In its recent meeting, the FIFA Council also decided that the FIFA Women’s World Cup will expand to 48 teams starting in 2031. In this new format, teams will compete in twelve groups, and the number of matches will increase from 64 to 104. The tournament will also be extended by one week compared to previous editions. FIFA stated that the goal of this change is to develop and expand women’s football globally. The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), currently under the control of the interim government, has not yet commented on the matter.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that despite minimal economic growth in Afghanistan, the living conditions of the people remain critical, and inequalities—especially for women—are increasing. In a recently published report, the organization stated that Afghanistan experienced a 2.7% growth in GDP in 2023 and 2024; however, this economic recovery remains fragile and has not improved the living conditions for the majority of the population. According to the report, 75% of Afghanistan’s population faced livelihood insecurity last year—a figure that has increased by six percent compared to 2023. The UNDP also emphasized that during this period, access to adequate housing, healthcare services, and essential goods has declined, while economic and climate-related shocks have intensified. The report notes that households headed by women, rural communities, and displaced persons have reported the greatest reductions in income and expenditures. It further reveals that the gender gap has widened more than before, pushing more women into poverty and social isolation. Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General of the UNDP for Asia and the Pacific, stated: "New data shows that people in Afghanistan continue to move along a worrying and difficult path." In another section of the report, the United Nations called for urgent action from the international community to prevent the worsening of economic, social, and gender crises in Afghanistan. Experts say that widespread restrictions on women—including bans on work, education, and social participation—are among the key factors contributing to this heightened vulnerability. This comes as poverty, unemployment, and the need for humanitarian aid have drastically increased following the return to power of the interim government. At the same time, many international aid organizations have repeatedly warned about reduced assistance due to budget shortages, which has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the country.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has recently announced that it needs $451 million to assist those in need in Afghanistan over the next six months. In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account today (Wednesday, May 7), the WFP said that half of Afghanistan’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance. The statement emphasized: “If Afghanistan had only 100 people, 50 of them would need humanitarian aid.” According to the announcement, Afghanistan has a population of 48 million, and nearly one-third are struggling with poverty and hunger. The WFP added that it requires $451 million over the next six months to support the most vulnerable families. With the suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, relief organizations are facing financial challenges. Additionally, according to United Nations statistics, 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance this year, with 16.8 million prioritized for aid. OCHA, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has requested a budget of $2.42 billion to assist these individuals. This comes at a time when humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has significantly declined.

Forbes Magazine has warned that under the shadow of a "gender apartheid regime," the mental health of women and girls in Afghanistan has reached a breaking point. In an article criticizing the silence surrounding the situation of Afghan women and girls, the magazine stated that this crisis will not end with silence—rather, it will intensify in silence and claim more lives. Citing human rights organizations, Forbes reported that the rising restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan have led to an increase in suicide among them. The return of the current government in August 2021 has been accompanied by a gradual revocation of the rights of women and girls. Over the past three years, the government has imposed significant restrictions on every aspect of women's lives, including education, employment, movement in public spaces, and participation in social and political life. The article adds that on May 1, 2025, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that the current government has enforced decrees aimed at removing women from public life and limiting their freedom of movement. These restrictions have had a profound impact on the physical and mental health of women and girls throughout Afghanistan. According to the 2024 report by the UN Women’s section, 68% of respondents knew at least one woman or girl suffering from anxiety or depression, and 8% said they knew at least one who had attempted suicide. Marsalina Amin, founder of the “Girls Toward Leadership” organization, also warned: “The situation is so dire that even talking about it brings them to tears. They are in a cage—no education, no freedom of movement, no way to express themselves.” Ms. Amin added: “The girls’ dreams—everything they once imagined—have been shattered. They don’t even have the words to describe what they’re going through. Every girl I’ve spoken with is suffering mentally, but she cannot talk about it.” With women’s rights stripped away and international observers lacking access to the country, reporting on the situation in Afghanistan has become extremely difficult.

The "Women Ahead" organization announced that Zakia Khodadadi, a taekwondo athlete from Afghanistan, has been recognized as the "Inspirational Woman" for the year 2024. In a message posted on their Instagram account, the organization introduced a list of seven "inspirational" women and stated: "Following inspirational women can boost the confidence of girls." The "Women Ahead" organization, which is an international organization supporting women, noted that the "courage, resilience, and determination" of these seven women over the past year have been an inspiration for other women and girls. The announcement mentioned that Zakia Khodadadi became the first refugee medalist in the Paris 2024 Paralympics by winning a bronze medal. It further stated that she practiced secretly in Afghanistan, fled the country after the return of the caretaker government, and is now a symbol of resistance. Zakia Khodadadi described this achievement as "honorable" on her Instagram account, stating: "This is not just my voice; it is the voice of all women who fight for freedom and equality." This Afghan taekwondo athlete had previously been included in the BBC's list of 100 Inspirational and Influential Women for the year 2024. Ms. Khodadadi will participate in the Paris 2024 Paralympics and has made history as the first member of the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal. Zakia was born without one forearm and secretly practiced taekwondo in a hidden club in her hometown of Herat since she was 11 years old. After the current government regained power in 2021, she missed the opportunity to compete in her first Paralympics in Tokyo. With the intervention of the International Paralympic Committee and support from France, Zakia left Afghanistan and became the first Afghan female athlete to participate in a global sporting event after the takeover of the current government.