The United Nations Women’s Section has recently announced that approximately 50,000 women and girls in vulnerable areas of Afghanistan, particularly in the eastern part of the country, are facing an increasing risk of gender-based violence, with their access to healthcare and other essential services severely limited. In a published report, the organization warned that pregnant women are at greater risk as they grapple with insecurity and displacement, compounded by hunger and limited access to medical care. The report states that women displaced due to border conflicts and recent earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan are facing serious health challenges, food insecurity, and psychological trauma. The UN Women’s Section emphasized that some families who were previously displaced by the earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan have been forced to leave their homes again due to border conflicts. The report mentions a 30-year-old woman named Najiba, who was affected by the recent earthquakes and was living in a tent while pregnant. After the onset of border conflicts, she had to leave her residence with her family once more. Najiba told the UN Women’s Section: “There was no safe place. Airplanes were flying overhead, and my children were terrified. Every time they heard the sound, they cried and screamed.” After giving birth at an Afghan Red Crescent clinic, she, along with her newborn, six other children, and her husband, was moved to a camp in the Mazdara area of the Nurgal district in Nangarhar province. The UN Women’s Section stated that following the escalation of tensions and conflicts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, more than 100,000 people have been displaced due to airstrikes, shelling, drone attacks, and ground fighting. The organization added that women and girls, who are currently living under extensive restrictions on movement and access to essential services, have been disproportionately affected by the rise in insecurity and displacement. The report concludes that ongoing insecurity, displacement, and existing restrictions put Afghan women and girls at greater risk of gender-based violence, poverty, and deprivation of basic services.

Petri Orpo, the Prime Minister of Finland, has described the situation in Afghanistan as alarming, stating that the interim government continues to violate human rights and impose restrictions on citizens, particularly on women and girls. Mr. Orpo made these remarks at the Hazara Culture Day festival in Finland, emphasizing that one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises is unfolding in Afghanistan, where human rights are still being violated. He further stressed that the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan are increasingly being undermined, and violence and discrimination against them are never acceptable. He added that Finland is working within the framework of the global community and the European Union to improve the situation in Afghanistan and will continue these efforts. Additionally, the Finnish Prime Minister stated that Hazaras who have chosen this country as their home should not forget their cultural heritage; rather, preserving their language, culture, art, and cultural identity is of special importance. He noted that language, religion, music, literature, clothing, and art are fundamental elements of individual and community identity, and these values become even more significant for those living away from their homeland. He mentioned the role of the Hazara community in promoting education and equality, stating that Hazaras were among the first groups in Afghanistan to fight for girls' access to education. Latif Fayyaz, the head of the Hazara Cultural House in Finland, also remarked at the event that Hazaras have faced discrimination, oppression, and massacres throughout history but have always valued education, work, peaceful coexistence, and social participation. The Hazarh Culture Day festival was held at the cultural center in Jarvenpaa, featuring cultural programs, traditional clothing displays, local music, art exhibitions, and traditional Hazara cuisine.

OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has recently reported that as of last month, only $269 million, or 16% of the $1.71 billion budget needed for humanitarian aid this year in Afghanistan, has been secured. In a message posted on its X account, the organization stated that the growing funding gap poses a serious threat to life-saving humanitarian support in Afghanistan. OCHA further warned that without immediate financial resources, millions of people in Afghanistan will be at risk of losing access to humanitarian assistance. This comes as the United Nations Development Program warned last month that poverty in Afghanistan continues to escalate, with nearly 28 million people projected to be unable to meet even their most basic needs by 2025. Additionally, the United Nations Development Program announced that international aid to Afghanistan is expected to decrease by about 16.5% in 2025. The statement noted that due to budget cuts, more than 440 healthcare centers have either closed or limited their services, and the number of individuals lacking access to health services has increased from 16% in 2024 to 23% in 2025.

OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has recently announced that Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 600 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births in the country. In a statement released today (Monday, June 1), the organization noted that specialized care and the presence of female health workers play a crucial role in saving mothers' lives; however, restrictions placed on women's participation have reduced access to essential health services for mothers and newborns. The statement highlighted that limited access for women and girls to health services contributes to the increase in maternal and neonatal mortality. It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan has faced one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates for years. The lack of health centers in several remote districts and the shortage of female health workers are considered significant factors contributing to this situation. Additionally, a recent study published in mid-April this year regarding maternal and neonatal health services in Afghanistan showed that midwives remain a cornerstone of the country's health system. However, the shortage of female staff, deep disparities between regions, and educational restrictions pose serious threats to the future of this sector. According to this research, by the year 2023, approximately 8,094 midwives were active in Afghanistan, of which nearly 6,746 work in public health services. This comes at a time when the density of health workers, including doctors and midwives, is estimated at about 10.3 per 10,000 population, which is significantly lower than the World Health Organization's recommended standard of 44.5.

The national television has reported that following the roll-over of a vehicle carrying returnees in the Qarghai district of this province, 18 people have died and 29 others have been injured. According to local officials cited by the television, the incident occurred at 5:30 AM today (Saturday, May 30) in the Surkhkan area of Qarghai district. Abdul Noor Rasooli, the head of information and culture for Laghman province, stated that among the victims, there are 10 children and five women. It has been reported that the injured have been transferred to Nangarhar Regional Hospital. Published images show that the returnees were being transported in a cargo vehicle. The head of information and culture for Laghman province did not provide details regarding the cause of this incident. It is worth mentioning that traffic accidents annually claim the lives of hundreds in Afghanistan and leave hundreds injured. Most of these incidents are attributed to driver negligence, lack of traffic signs, and poor road conditions.

The United Nations has recently stated that women and girls are on the frontline of the climate crisis while also playing a crucial and unique role in advancing climate action. In a report published the UN indicated that women and girls disproportionately suffer from climate change, as they constitute a significant portion of the world's poorest populations, with their lives and livelihoods dependent on local natural resources. The organization emphasized that women and girls, especially in rural areas, are primarily responsible for providing food, water, and firewood for their families. As a result, during times of drought and heavy rainfall, they are compelled to work harder, travel longer distances, and spend more time seeking income and essential resources for their families. The report noted that the unique circumstances faced by women in the context of climate change, along with the increase in conflicts, inequalities, and vulnerabilities resulting from climate change, may expose them to a higher risk of gender-based violence. Moreover, the United Nations added that during extreme weather events, the likelihood of women and children dying is 14 times greater than that of men; this is due to their limited access to information and the constraints they face in mobility and decision-making. It further stated that this situation in Afghanistan, due to additional restrictions and the closed conditions for women, has placed them at greater risk from severe natural events. According to the UN report, following the earthquake in Herat in 2023, 1,384 people lost their lives in this event, with women accounting for 759 deaths compared to 625 men. Additionally, 1,583 individuals were injured, of whom 1,137 were women. Overall, 90% of the victims of this event were women and children. The UN estimates that out of every five individuals displaced due to the impacts of climate change, four are women and girls.

The United Nations Development Program has recently announced that by supporting women and girls in the fields of tailoring, agriculture, and small businesses in Herat, job opportunities and income have been provided for dozens of women; women who are now contributing to their families' expenses. In a report published the organization stated that it has supported women in the "Khatam al-Nabi" area of Herat to start small businesses through the establishment of savings groups, small loans, and agricultural projects. The report mentions that several women have created a joint tailoring workshop, which now generates monthly income and provides for their families. This workshop has created job opportunities for 16 women and generates an income of 112,000 Afghanis per month. The report also notes that some other women have established clothing stores by receiving small loans and have been able to expand their personal businesses. Additionally, the UN Development Program emphasized that support has also been provided to women in agriculture, with some engaged in growing vegetables in greenhouses. According to this organization, these projects have not only created income but also increased families' access to fresh food. The organization added that, in total, these programs have created sustainable job opportunities for 146 individuals, and part of the agricultural land in the area has been protected from flooding risks by constructing protective walls. While women and girls in Afghanistan face extensive restrictions in education and work, some international organizations, including UN agencies, are striving to create limited job and income opportunities for women through small economic projects.