Claudia Fuentes Julio, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, has said that lasting peace in Afghanistan cannot be achieved without the participation of women and girls. She made the remarks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly during a meeting with Nasir Ahmad Faiq, acting head of Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, and a number of women’s rights activists. The meeting highlighted the importance of women’s participation in education and society, as well as in decisions about Afghanistan’s future. Fuentes Julio stressed that no society can achieve lasting stability, prosperity or justice while half its population is denied education, participation and a role in decision-making. Participants also emphasized that women’s voices, leadership and rights in Afghanistan must be at the heart of discussions about the country’s future. They said women’s meaningful participation is essential to lasting peace, social cohesion and long-term development. During the meeting, Afghan women’s rights activist Maqdasa Ahmadzai said: “We firmly believe that no society can achieve lasting stability, prosperity or justice while half its population is denied education, participation and decision-making.” She added that the voices, leadership and rights of Afghan women must remain central to all discussions about the country’s future. According to Ahmadzai, women’s meaningful participation is not only a human rights issue; it is also essential to achieving lasting peace, social cohesion and long-term development. Since returning to power, the de facto authorities have imposed widespread restrictions on women’s education, employment, movement and participation in public life.

UN Women has said that women and girls do not need permission to lead; they need a fair opportunity. In a message posted on its X account the organization said that globally, eight out of every 10 women who stand as candidates in elections face violence. UN Women also emphasized that the costs of participating in elections prevent many women from entering the political arena. The organization called for greater discussion of the importance of women and girls’ leadership and their equal access to power. For the past five years, women in Afghanistan have been excluded from decision-making and politics and pushed to the margins. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities have also barred women and girls from education. In their latest restriction, they closed medical institutes to women and girls, even as Afghanistan’s health sector faces a nationwide shortage of personnel. This has left millions of schoolgirls unable to continue their education. Women have also been barred from going to sports clubs, restaurants and public baths; being examined by male doctors; travelling without a mahram (male guardian); and working for domestic and international NGOs—or even at UN offices in Afghanistan.

Fawzia Koofi, a member of Afghanistan’s House of Representatives under the former republic, says Afghans live with the question of whether Afghanistan failed at democracy, or democracy failed Afghanistan. Koofi made the remarks at a meeting of the International Women’s Peace Group in South Korea. She said that abandoning women in Afghanistan is a test of the international community’s commitment to justice. She went on to stress that women and girls have been excluded from education and employment for the past five years. She said this is because governments fear educated, powerful women. Criticizing the international community, Koofi said Afghanistan’s allies abandoned the country precisely when it needed them most. Koofi added that steps must be taken to ensure women are not sidelined again when political priorities in Afghanistan change. Her remarks come as the de facto authorities have barred women and girls from education since taking control of Afghanistan. In their latest restriction, they closed medical institutes to women and girls, even as Afghanistan’s health sector faces a nationwide shortage of personnel. The current authorities’ actions have left millions of schoolgirls unable to continue their education. Women have also been barred from going to sports clubs, restaurants and public baths; being examined by male doctors; travelling without a mahram (male guardian); and working for domestic and international NGOs or even at UN offices in Afghanistan. According to reports, if the ban continues, nearly four million girls could be deprived of education by 2030.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has urged Afghanistan’s caretaker government to lift all restrictions imposed on women and girls and reconsider its policies toward them. Mr. Dar made the remarks today (Wednesday, September 23) at the first meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Contact Group on Afghanistan. He said that the restrictions imposed on women and girls were “unjustifiable and contrary to Islamic principles and the norms of Muslim societies.” He also called for regional and multilateral engagement and dialogue with the current government, saying that such engagement should encourage it to meet its international obligations. Pakistan’s foreign minister stressed that Afghanistan faces sanctions, terrorism, narcotics, problems with its banking system, unemployment, poverty and human rights concerns. He said that, for more than five years, the country’s political situation had not been recognized by the international community. Mr. Dar urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to work to provide sufficient humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and ensure that the humanitarian needs of its people are met without political considerations. He also emphasized the importance of stabilizing Afghanistan’s economy and reviving its banking system. He said that creating opportunities for trade and economic activity, as well as regional connectivity projects, could help reduce unemployment and poverty in Afghanistan. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the caretaker government has barred women and girls from education. In its latest restriction, it closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, even as the country’s health sector faces a shortage of personnel. The current government’s actions have left millions of girls unable to access education. Women have also been barred from going to sports clubs, restaurants and public baths; being examined by male doctors; travelling without a male guardian; and working for domestic and international non-governmental organizations or even at United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

Fariba Hashimi, a cyclist from Afghanistan, secured a silver medal in the women's road race at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. Hashimi crossed the finish line in the Shinshiro cycling competition with a time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 5 seconds, finishing in second place. Guo Li from China won the gold medal, and Leung Wing-yi from Hong Kong took home the bronze medal. This was Hashimi's second competition in this edition of the Asian Games. Additionally, she placed seventh in the women's individual time trial competition on Sunday. Hashimi is 23 years old and previously competed for Afghanistan alongside her sister, Yaldoz Hashimi, at the Paris Olympics. She continues her professional cycling career in Europe. This comes at a time when, following the return of the interim government to power, women and girls in Afghanistan have been completely banned from participating in all sports disciplines, leading to the disbandment of Afghanistan's women's national sports teams. As a result of this action, many Afghan female athletes who were part of the national team have been forced to leave the country.

The International Chess Federation has recently announced that five women will represent Afghanistan at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In a statement, the federation mentioned that the competition will take place from September 15 to 27 in Samarkand. The International Chess Federation stated that more than 193 teams in the open section and 181 teams in the women's section from around the world are expected to participate in this round. The statement noted that Hasina Akbar, Setara Azizi, Noreen Gowhari, Balqis Gonesh, and Zainab Farhanmand will compete on behalf of Afghanistan. This comes at a time when, in Afghanistan, not only is women's sports banned, but chess has also been prohibited. Additionally, the chess federation has been removed from the structure of the Afghanistan National Physical Education and Sports Authority.

Harish Parvataneni, India's representative to the United Nations, has called on the international community to support the women and girls and other citizens of Afghanistan and to continue cooperation with the country. Mr. Parvataneni expressed concern over the forced return of Afghan migrants, stating that returns should be voluntary, safe, and conducted with respect for human dignity. He made these remarks during a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan and emphasized that the international community must support women and all Afghans and continue engagement with Afghanistan in a principled and sustainable manner. Parvataneni stated that India has contributed to the development of Afghanistan through over 500 collaborative projects in all 34 provinces of the country. He added, "Our commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan will continue. We are working with UN agencies as well as organizations like the Afghan Red Crescent to deliver aid to those who need it most." The Indian representative referenced a report from the UN Secretary-General, noting that 150 health centers in Afghanistan were closed in the first half of this year and urged countries to invest in strengthening the country's health system. Parvataneni further noted that India has become one of the major destinations for Afghan exports and is committed to expanding bilateral trade to support Afghanistan's economic development. He also mentioned that the relationship between India and Afghanistan is historic and goes beyond today's borders.

The Afghanistan Cancer Foundation has recently announced that over 1.5 million people in Afghanistan are suffering from cancer, with breast and cervical cancers being among the most common types affecting women in the country. Shafiq Shinwari, the head of the Afghanistan Cancer Foundation, stated that according to national and international estimates, breast and cervical cancers are among the most prevalent types of cancer among women, while prostate and colorectal cancers are common among men. He further emphasized that approximately 5,000 new cases of cancer are identified annually in Afghanistan, with various factors contributing to the increase in these cases. Breast and cervical cancers are among the diseases that women in Afghanistan are facing. Despite the rising incidence of cancer, limited access to diagnostic and treatment services, high treatment costs, and a lack of specialized medical facilities can make the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases more challenging for women. Previously, United Nations agencies had reported that 14.4 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian health services, while these agencies are facing severe budget shortages. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's healthcare system has been struggling for decades with extensive challenges, including reliance on international aid, shortages of medications and equipment, and a lack of specialized doctors. Earlier, Save the Children also reported that 600 health centers have closed in Afghanistan due to budget shortfalls.

The United Nations has recently emphasized the vital role of women in delivering humanitarian aid to women and girls in Afghanistan, stating that their presence is essential for providing services safely, appropriately, and with dignity. OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has noted that women continue to work to deliver services to communities in need despite security difficulties, access restrictions, and operational challenges. Bruno Lemarquis, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, expressed appreciation for humanitarian workers, especially Afghan women. He stressed that the activities of women and girls in the humanitarian sector still face very serious obstacles. He highlighted the expertise, resilience, and commitment of Afghan women as crucial to ensuring access for women and girls to humanitarian assistance, stating: "Humanitarian aid cannot effectively reach women and girls without the presence of female humanitarian workers in Afghanistan." He emphasized that women working in the humanitarian sector in Afghanistan operate under conditions where access to many areas is difficult, and resource limitations and operational challenges have complicated the aid delivery process. Furthermore, it was mentioned that they work in areas including health services, psychosocial support, protection, education, and other humanitarian activities with communities in need. This comes at a time when millions of people in Afghanistan are facing poverty, food insecurity, displacement, natural disasters, and the impacts of climate change.