Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the caretaker government in Afghanistan, has recently issued a decree stating that, henceforth, no one except for central and ministry spokespersons may express opinions on behalf of the government. The Bakhtar News Agency, which is under the control of the caretaker government, reported today (Monday, September 5) that central spokespersons and government agencies are only to publish statements on political matters that have been approved by the leader of the caretaker government. The decree further states that central spokespersons of the caretaker government should refrain from publishing any information that has not been approved by Akhundzada. Additionally, the decree specifies that the activities of ministry spokespersons are limited solely to their respective departments. According to this decree, they should disseminate information only after it has been approved by the relevant minister or head of the department. It is noteworthy that since their takeover of Afghanistan, the caretaker government has consistently sought to conceal truths from the citizens of the country. Over the past three years, the current government has imposed severe restrictions on journalists and media outlets. According to statistics from the Afghanistan Journalists Center, the caretaker government issued 14 restrictive directives against media and journalists during its first two years in power. These directives cover a wide range of media-related issues, including requiring female presenters to wear black masks and prohibiting the broadcast of music, as well as referring to the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan.

In the continuation of the reactions to the law of commanding the good and prohibiting the evil of the caretaker government, "National Resistance Front" has said that this law is a tool to suppress women and will be the foundation of a collective punishment system. This front issued a statement this morning (Monday, 5 Sanblah) saying that it categorically rejects and condemns any type of law that results from the dogmatic thinking of the current government and leads to an increase in physical and psychological violence against the people of Afghanistan, especially women. It is further stated that the law of commanding the good and prohibiting the evil of the caretaker government, "represents the tribal and primitive thinking of this misogynistic group, which is in conflict with the essence of the religion and practice of nearly two billion Muslims around the world." It is stated in the declaration that the Islamic society of Afghanistan has established a peaceful life between men and women for centuries before the advent of the caretaker government, and based on the moral and cultural principles accepted in the society, the dignity, honor and dignity of women are considered public sacred. "National Resistance Front" emphasized: "History will never forget the organized disrespect of the caretaker government against women, and this group will taste the consequences of this disrespect." This front has asked the people to "end their silence and indifference towards this sinister minority and their medieval policies." Also, the "National Resistance Front" has asked the clerics who cooperate with the caretaker government not to use the oppression and suppression of people as a means of securing their livelihood. This is despite the fact that Hebatullah Akhundzadeh, the leader of the caretaker government, recently ratified the law of enjoining good and forbidding evil, and this law has now come into force. This law includes an introduction, four chapters and 35 articles. In the 13th article of this law, which is specific to women's hijab, it is necessary to cover the whole body of women and their voice is considered part of the aurat. According to the announced law, it is stated in the first paragraph of this article that "covering the whole body of a woman is mandatory", in the second paragraph it is also mentioned that "it is necessary to cover the face of a woman due to the fear of sedition, and it is emphasized in the third paragraph that "women's voice (loud singing of songs, verses and recitations in congregation) is awrat." This law of Nowruz, Yalda night, fireworks, shaving the beard and reducing it from the handle, wearing a necktie and shaving hair is against the Islamic Sharia; Leaving women's voices out of the house and watching pictures and videos of the living on computers and mobile phones are considered among "special vices" and it is said that the ombudsman has the responsibility to prevent it. The ratification of this law has caused widespread reactions. The German foreign minister called it 100 pages of hatred for women and the US special representative for women and human rights for Afghanistan said that this law shows that the caretaker government has returned to its policies of the 1990s.

Neda Mohammad Nadeem, the acting Minister of Higher Education, stated that just as the education of girls is suspended until further notice, inquiries about their education are also on hold. Mr. Nadeem spoke at a press conference in Kabul today (Sunday, July 4), responding to reporters' questions about girls' education. He said, "We have not yet reached a point where we can reopen universities or schools to female students." He emphasized, "The short answer to this matter is that just as education is suspended until further notice, questions about it are also suspended until further notice." The current Ministry of Higher Education closed the doors of universities to girls in December 2022. At that time, the Ministry announced that women's education was suspended until further notice. Schools for girls above the sixth grade are also closed until further notice. During the press conference, the acting Minister of Higher Education stressed that the world is focused on the issue of girls' education, but this has raised doubts for him. He stated, "On one hand, the Islamic community is under fire; on the other hand, children and women are suffering, and their right to live is not being granted. No one raises their voice about this; however, in my country, where we have made 90% progress in every field and 90% of women's rights have been granted, people are only focused on one point: why is modern education not being opened for women?" He also mentioned that the group's decision regarding girls' education is "not in contradiction with Islam, Afghan traditions, or oppression of Muslims." Mr. Nadeem stated that research by scholars regarding girls' education is ongoing and that if it is proven under what conditions women's education is permissible, they will be allowed to study. He continued by saying that if anyone can prove through Hanafi jurisprudence that women's education is permissible in a book, they should approach his ministry and discuss it with him. He emphasized that applying "general verses and narrations" regarding women's education will not resolve the issue.

A four-day exhibition of handicrafts and domestic products from Afghanistan, titled "Victory and Economic Progress of Afghanistan," has been held with significant participation from women and artisans from various provinces at the Afghanistan International Exhibition Center in Kabul. The organizers of the "Victory and Economic Progress of Afghanistan" exhibition stated that the aim of the event is to showcase domestic products, promote women's industries, and expand the private sector. Some women entrepreneurs at the exhibition expressed that the government's restrictions on their trade have had a severely negative impact. Most participants in this exhibition were women. Women traders and artisans who attended from different provinces complained that their handicrafts lack a domestic market, attributing this to insufficient public awareness. They are calling on the interim government and foreign institutions to market women's handicrafts abroad. The participating women criticized the restrictions imposed by the current government on women, stating that the requirement to travel with a male guardian, even on short trips, has adversely affected their trade and increased business costs. They emphasized that the current government does not allow them to travel without a male guardian, which raises travel expenses and costs associated with participating in exhibitions. Sohaila Omari, a producer of handicrafts, stated: "When the forces of the interim government want us not to come to the exhibition without a male guardian and do not allow us to come alone, we want to change this mindset. Here, all participants are women. We want women to be able to participate in exhibitions without a male guardian." The women participants, numbering nearly 200, showcased their handicrafts, embroidery, clothing, and other products. Some of these women mentioned that booth rental fees are high, and given the low turnout at the exhibition and lack of a sales market, entrepreneurs struggle to cover these costs. Zahra Davoodi, a participant, expressed hope that this exhibition would create opportunities for securing contracts. She added: "I have handicraft and food products, but unfortunately I lack proper space and facilities; there are few tools, and only two workshops. We want our projects to increase through this exhibition." It should be noted that over the past three years, several small and large national and international exhibitions have been held in Kabul to support domestic products. Additionally, some artisans cite the importation of similar goods, visa restrictions for travel, and challenges related to raw materials as key obstacles in their work. They have indicated that the market for imported foreign goods remains stronger in the country compared to domestic products. While women have showcased their handicrafts, the government has imposed severe restrictions on girls and women over the past two years. Currently, girls and women are unable to attend school or university. This action by the current government has resulted in millions of girls being deprived of education. Moreover, women are banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in local and international non-governmental organizations as well as United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned of the high maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan, stating that the healthcare system urgently requires 18,000 midwives. The fund cautioned that if this need is not met, the lives of many women will be at risk. Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. The UNFPA emphasized that midwives can meet about 90% of the immediate reproductive health needs of mothers, newborns, and adolescent girls. According to the report, there is also a global need for approximately 900,000 additional trained midwives. In Afghanistan, there is an urgent need for 18,000 skilled midwives to address the demands of hospitals—a shortfall that could endanger many lives if not compensated. The UNFPA noted that in 2021, it supported over 70 family health clinics in Afghanistan; however, this number has now increased more than sixfold to 477 clinics despite a highly challenging operational environment. These clinics have helped over five million Afghans access vital health services, especially in remote and difficult-to-reach areas. High Maternal Mortality Rates in Afghanistan The UNFPA report states that Afghanistan has long had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with one woman dying every hour due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth. According to the fund, these deaths are largely preventable with skilled midwifery care. The UN Children's Fund reported that for every 100,000 births, 638 mothers lose their lives during delivery, attributed to poverty, limited access to healthcare services, and gender inequality. The fund highlighted the restrictions imposed by the caretaker government on women's education, work, and travel, stating that the outlook for women and girls—and future generations in Afghanistan—appears increasingly perilous.

Local media reports indicate that members of a family in Nangarhar province, facing severe poverty and debt, have been forced to "sell" their two daughters. Reports state that this ten-member family is currently living in a "ruin" in the sixth district of Jalalabad city, the capital of Nangarhar province. Rahima, the mother of the children, told local media that her husband was injured in a traffic accident some time ago and is now paralyzed, lying in a corner of their home. She emphasized that they are facing multiple economic challenges and have borrowed 500,000 Afghanis from their relatives and friends for her husband's treatment. She added that due to economic difficulties and the need to pay off their debts, she has been compelled to put her children up for sale. Rahima appeals to members of the interim government and wealthy individuals to help her and her family so that she does not have to sell her children. She says, "If the government and people help us, our problems will be solved. If they do not help, I will be forced to sell my daughters to resolve my family's issues and get out of debt because I have no other option." Some young people and activists in Nangarhar have launched a campaign on social media to collect aid for this family. They are urging people to help this family so that their problems can be resolved. It should be noted that after the current government's takeover of Afghanistan, poverty levels in the country have increased. According to reports from the United Nations, 23.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Based on these statistics, over 12 million people in Afghanistan do not know where their next meal will come from.

The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the interim government has recently announced that in the past year, it has destroyed 21,328 musical instruments across Afghanistan. Mohibullah Makhloq, head of planning and legislation for this ministry, shared these statistics during a press conference in Kabul today (Tuesday, August 30), highlighting them as one of the ministry's achievements. He also mentioned the "reform" of audio, visual, and print media broadcasts, stating that 90% of media broadcasts have been "reformed" in the past year. He noted that the prayer times have been synchronized to a single schedule and that 460 loudspeakers have been installed for broadcasting the call to prayer throughout Kabul. The head of planning and legislation for the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice also reported on the inspection of personal computers in markets across the country, stating that over the past year, 25,647 "immoral films" have been deleted from these computers. He mentioned the arrest of 448 "fortune tellers" and 528 "sorcerers," stating that these individuals have been referred to judicial authorities. According to the provided statistics, officials from this ministry have inspected the activities of 27,518 government and non-government offices, 419,369 mosques, 96,355 educational and health centers, 15,575 sports clubs, 68,979 hotels and restaurants, 39,218 baths and barbershops, and 500 tailoring shops to ensure compliance with the ministry's directives and have taken "necessary actions." This comes amid reports over the past year of musical instruments being collected and burned by the interim government in various provinces. The group considers listening to music "haram" (forbidden) and views it as a vice; thus, they collect and destroy musical instruments. Hijab In today's press conference, this official from the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated that a draft proposal for "observing Islamic hijab by women" has been prepared and approved. He added that this proposal was developed based on the directive of Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the interim government, and has been approved by him. He emphasized that the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has a "military directorate," which has also prepared a draft for its organization and activities. It should be noted that military personnel and inspectors from the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have repeatedly detained women and young girls in various provinces over the past year, including Kabul, on charges of "improper hijab." For instance, in the month of Dalwa last year, dozens of young girls were detained from the Dasht-e-Barchi area in western Kabul and Khair Khana in northern Kabul for alleged "improper hijab." The detention of these girls faced widespread backlash and condemnation, with several prominent Shia scholars rejecting the accusations of improper hijab against girls in western Kabul.

OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has recently declared Afghanistan, under the rule of the interim government, as one of the five "dangerous" places globally for aid workers. In a statement released today (Monday, August 29), the organization noted that despite a decrease in conflict since August 2021 in Afghanistan, the restrictions imposed on women and girls by the current government have posed serious challenges for humanitarian staff. OCHA's statement reads: "The restrictive measures of the interim government targeting women and girls limit their access to education, social life, services, and employment, including humanitarian work, creating significant barriers. Humanitarian workers must constantly navigate these challenges to continue their efforts." The UN humanitarian coordination office emphasized that currently, over 35,000 staff from international aid organizations are working in various sectors in the country, including education, health, mine clearance, and food assistance. OCHA added that during 2023, international staff provided services to 32.1 million people in Afghanistan. Furthermore, it mentioned that during this period, 26.3 million people received food and livelihood assistance, 16.5 million benefited from health and medical services, and 9.9 million accessed safe drinking water services. The UN humanitarian coordination office also stated that last year, 5.7 million children and pregnant or breastfeeding women received nutritional support, 3.5 million children received protective services, 2 million children received educational services, and 1 million children received emergency shelter and non-food items. According to information from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, aid organizations are set to assist 17.3 million individuals in need across various sectors this year. This international agency has once again warned about the lack of sufficient funding for providing aid to those in need in the country. It is worth mentioning that just a few days ago, this international organization also announced that Afghanistan under the control of the interim government is facing a "severe humanitarian crisis."