Richard Bennett, the UN Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, has warned that the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, continues to deteriorate, and the international community must not remain indifferent to it. In an article published on its website, the UN Human Rights Council stated that Mr. Bennett has called on countries to establish a comprehensive and independent mechanism for documenting, legally pursuing, and supporting justice for victims of human rights violations, especially gender-based violence. The report, which is set to be reviewed at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva next week, emphasizes that women and girls in Afghanistan face "systematic and multilayered discrimination." The report focuses on issues such as the ban on education, work restrictions, limitations on movement and social participation, as well as the use of judicial institutions to suppress women. In his report, Richard Bennett noted that the current judicial system in Afghanistan has become a tool for silencing women's voices rather than protecting their rights. In many cases, women who are victims of violence not only receive no support but also face punishment. The Human Rights Council's rapporteur has called for the establishment of an international accountability mechanism that can document evidence of human rights violations, including "gender crimes," and create cases for the legal prosecution of perpetrators. According to Bennett, this action could assist judicial processes in the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and countries with universal jurisdiction. This report is presented to the Human Rights Council at a time when women and girls have been deprived of their rights for nearly four years. While this organization criticizes the restrictions on Afghan women, it has been over 900 days since the caretaker government closed the doors of private and public universities to girls in the country. Additionally, schools have also been closed to girls above the sixth grade. This action by the current government has left millions of female students without access to education. Furthermore, women are 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 even in UN offices in Afghanistan. Amidst this situation, activities such as handicrafts, sewing, and limited home-based work remain some of the few options available to them. UNICEF and several international organizations are striving to create opportunities for empowering women and girls in Afghanistan through these limited avenues.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has recently warned that Afghan women returning to their homeland are facing severe restrictions and an unequal environment. In a visual report shared on its X account, the agency stated that tens of thousands of Afghan migrants have returned to their country, mostly empty-handed and without resources. The report highlights that women and girls are returning to Afghanistan under particularly difficult living conditions. The UN High Commissioner emphasized that women and children are the most vulnerable groups among returnees. Quoting Asma, a mother of two daughters and one of the returnees, the report mentioned her concerns about her daughters' future under the caretaker government. Asma added, "I fear my daughters will be deprived of education. To build a future, they need books, pens, and education. Now, I don't know how we will continue our lives." The organization also expressed concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, stating that as tens of thousands of migrants are being returned from host countries, nearly half of the population of this country is in need of humanitarian assistance. This warning comes as neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, have intensified the expulsion of Afghan migrants in recent months. Previously, human rights organizations and women's rights activists have repeatedly expressed concern over the forced return of women and girls to Afghanistan.

Khalid Hanafi, the acting head of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice under the caretaker government, has recently prohibited his agents from intruding into citizens’ personal mobile phones or pockets. Mr. Hanafi made these remarks during a seminar on how to implement “accountability” during the Eid holidays. He stated: "The blessed religion of Islam does not permit any violation of personal privacy. Therefore, without a person’s permission, it is not permissible to reach into their mobile phone, pocket, or home." He emphasized to the agents of the ministry that "they have been chosen to implement the Islamic system." The minister called on his agents to "pay attention to their responsibilities and carry out their duties in a manner that sets a guiding example for society." It is worth noting that the agents of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice currently monitor citizens' clothing, appearance, and behavior. Citizens have frequently complained about these agents’ conduct, accusing them of violating their privacy and personal freedoms. The "Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice," ratified by the caretaker government in Asad (August) of last year, has imposed extensive restrictions on both public and private life. Additionally, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that under this law, Afghan citizens are treated as “subjects under control” rather than as citizens with defined rights.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, has announced that four million children in Afghanistan are deprived of schooling due to the lack of adequate educational infrastructure, clean drinking water, and especially a shortage of teachers — most notably female teachers. In a report published today (Monday, June 2), the organization stated that children often drop out of school due to economic hardships and, in some cases, are forced into child labor to help support their families. UNICEF emphasized that it is placing greater focus on recruiting female teachers, as families culturally consider this a more suitable option for their children. The report notes that a number of teachers, supported by the organization, are striving to use creative methods to increase the attendance of girls below sixth grade in Afghanistan. The UN children’s agency stressed that currently four million children in Afghanistan do not have access to education. Part of the report highlights that, to reduce this deprivation and improve the quality of education, UNICEF — with financial support from the governments of Japan and South Korea — has trained dozens of female teachers in several provinces. The report also shares the story of a female teacher who, after participating in a UNICEF-supported training program, was able to attract more students to school through games and group activities. Lima Azizi, a third-grade teacher at Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq High School, stated that in the past month, student attendance in her school’s classes has increased by five percent. Previously, UNICEF reported that one in three children in Afghanistan is out of school, with around 60 percent of those being girls. This report is being released while, due to the policies of Afghanistan's caretaker government, girls above sixth grade have been denied access to education for the fourth consecutive year. Earlier, Amnesty International had reported that since the ban on girls' education above the sixth grade, approximately 3.5 million girls have been deprived of schooling.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced that while the world needs 900,000 midwives, many of the women and girls who rely on them are being overlooked. In a statement shared on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization wrote that midwives save lives in times of crisis, and trained midwives working in fully functional settings can prevent up to two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths. The statement further added that midwives are capable of delivering 90% of all essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services. Despite their importance, UNFPA noted that midwives make up only 10% of the global health workforce due to underinvestment and lack of support. The organization emphasized that since 2008, it has been working with partners and governments to build a workforce of “well-trained and well-supported midwives in low-resource settings.” UNFPA also stated that it is committed to “strengthing midwifery education, creating an enabling environment and regulatory mechanisms for midwives, and preparing midwives to deliver integrated and comprehensive sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services.” This critical need for midwives comes as Afghanistan ranks seventh in the world for the highest maternal mortality rate. Since returning to power, the Taliban’s caretaker government has not only imposed social and legal restrictions on women and girls but has also closed the doors of schools and universities to them. Furthermore, in the winter of 2024 (1403 in the Solar Hijri calendar), the current government banned girls from studying at private medical institutes. This decision sparked reactions from the World Health Organization and human rights organizations. The WHO stated in a press release that banning girls from medical education could cripple Afghanistan’s healthcare system.

Afghan women cricketers say they left their country because they are women who want to play sports, adding that there is no longer any space for female athletes in Afghanistan. Firooza Amiri, one of the Afghan athletes who is no longer allowed to play in the country due to restrictions imposed by the current regime, has now formed a cricket team in Australia alongside other Afghan girls. In an interview with India Today, she said: "I left my country because I am a woman who wants to play sports. There is no place for female athletes in Afghanistan anymore." These cricket players, who trained and competed for years, can no longer participate in tournaments or even practice. Firooza Amiri emphasized: "When the restrictions began, our training sessions were canceled, the national team’s matches were stopped, and we were told we could no longer play. That was extremely difficult for me and my teammates." She added that after receiving threats and facing insecurity, she and her teammates applied for asylum and were relocated to Australia. She noted that with the support of organizations aiding refugees and athletes, they were able to re-establish the Afghan women’s cricket team in Australia. These girls say: "This team now serves not only for playing cricket but also for delivering messages about women’s rights and highlighting the importance of women’s freedom in sports in Afghanistan." The athletes also stated: "We do not want to be seen as victims. We want to prove that Afghan women are capable and can succeed in any field." With hope, one of them said: "We miss our homeland, but we want to be the voice of Afghan women through cricket. We hope to one day play again in our own country and witness freedom and progress for women." The formation of this new team has received support from several international human rights organizations and global athletes. It should be noted that since the current regime took power, strict laws against women have been imposed. Women are banned from entering stadiums, and participation in many sports disciplines has been prohibited for women.

Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), highlighted the importance of education for women and girls, as well as freedom of expression in the country, following her visit to Bamyan province. In a message published on its official Facebook page, UNAMA stated that Ms. Gagnon met with local residents during her visit to Bamyan and discussed their challenges and concerns. The statement added that the Deputy Representative of the UN political mission in Afghanistan also met with female entrepreneurs and visited an educational institution, a women's rehabilitation center, and Bamyan Radio. Female journalists at Bamyan Radio, during their meeting with the UNAMA deputy, called for continued support from media organizations for this local radio station. UNAMA further wrote: "Local residents expressed their concerns about the sharp decline in international aid, as well as difficulties in political, social, and economic sectors, and the growing poverty." Additionally, during her visit, the UNAMA deputy visited a health center in Shibar district of Bamyan and met with female health workers and several local women. This UN official's emphasis on education, freedom of expression, and women's and girls' participation comes at a time when they have been deprived of their most basic rights for nearly four years. Since taking power, the de facto government has banned girls from attending school above the sixth grade, and these restrictions have gradually expanded into various other areas.

Zakia Khodadadi, a para-taekwondo athlete from Afghanistan, has recently announced that she has won a bronze medal at the Brazil Open Para-Taekwondo (Rio Open G2 2025). This morning (Thursday, June 8), Ms. Khodadadi shared a message on her Instagram account stating that she has proudly earned the bronze medal in para-taekwondo at the Brazil Open. The Afghan para-taekwondo athlete continued by writing, "This medal is not just for me; it is for all the women of Afghanistan who stand strong despite all the hardships." Zakia Khodadadi added, "We may face obstacles, but we will never give up. We rise up, always." It is worth noting that Zakia Khodadadi was awarded the Emerging Leadership category of the International Paralympic Committee's International Women's Day Award 2025 earlier this year for her advocacy for women's rights in Afghanistan, particularly the right to education and sports for girls. Additionally, Zakia Khodadadi was the first Afghan female athlete to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, earning the title of "Brave Woman" in this sporting event. This Afghan girl has previously won a gold medal at the European Para-Taekwondo Championships, a bronze medal at the 2022 World Grand Prix, a silver medal at an international competition in Albania, and a bronze medal at the Para-Taekwondo Championships in Egypt in 2016.