The European Union’s Humanitarian Aid Office in Asia has recently announced that access to education has been provided for 5,250 children in Afghanistan. The office stated in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) account today (Tuesday, Jan 6) that these children previously had no access to education. The EU Humanitarian Aid Office further emphasized that “community-based” classes have been established so that children deprived of education can learn and build their future. This announcement comes as UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, reports that four million children in Afghanistan are out of school. UNICEF adds that most children are deprived of education due to the lack of school buildings, shortages of drinking water, the absence of sanitation facilities, and a shortage of teachers. Meanwhile, after taking control of Afghanistan, the current authorities have barred women and girls from education and schooling. In their latest restriction, they have also closed the doors of medical institutes to girls and women, despite the country’s health sector facing a severe shortage of personnel. These measures by the current authorities have resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education. In addition, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public bathhouses, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian (mahram), and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, has recently stated that millions of women and girls in Afghanistan are facing severe restrictions in accessing their fundamental rights, including education, employment, security, and freedom of movement. In a message posted on her X account, Ms. Mohammed wrote that the world must not turn a blind eye to these violations of the rights of women and girls and that effective measures must be taken to support them. She further emphasized that women’s rights are an inseparable part of human rights and must be respected and protected everywhere. This comes as women and girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of their most basic rights since the takeover by the caretaker government. Since returning to power, the current authorities have issued more than 80 discriminatory decrees against the rights of women and girls. Human rights organizations describe the restrictions imposed on women and girls as a clear example of “gender apartheid.” Previously, United Nations officials had also expressed concern over the worsening situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. According to a recent report by an institute affiliated with Georgetown University in the United States, Afghanistan ranks as the worst country in the world for women among 188 countries. Women’s rights organizations have consistently called on the international community to increase diplomatic pressure and humanitarian support to ensure women’s and girls’ access to education, employment, and security. They have also warned that the continuation of these restrictions could have long-term consequences for the lives, health, and opportunities of women and girls in Afghanistan.

UN Women has recently stated that comprehensive support must be provided to visually impaired women and children worldwide. In a statement released today (Sunday, Jan 4) on the occasion of World Braille Day, the organization said: “When visually impaired women, girls, and children have equal access to Braille, they are able to write their own stories.” UN Women emphasized in part of the statement: “Visually impaired women and girls who have access to Braille gain their independence and help shape a more inclusive world.” The United Nations also noted in a separate statement that even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities have less access than others to health services, education, and employment, and participate less in society. The UN added: “Persons with disabilities are more likely to fall into poverty, experience higher rates of violence, neglect, and abuse, and in any society facing crisis, they are among the most marginalized groups.” World Braille Day has been observed since 2019 with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of Braille as a means of communication and as a tool for the full realization of human rights for blind and visually impaired people. Earlier, UN Women had also stated that women and girls with disabilities in Afghanistan face serious barriers and are being “overlooked.” UN Women’s emphasis on supporting visually impaired women and girls comes as the current authorities, since taking control of Afghanistan, have deprived women and girls of education and learning opportunities. Most recently, they have closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, despite the fact that the health sector across Afghanistan is facing a severe shortage of personnel. These actions by the current authorities have resulted in millions of school-aged girls being denied access to education. In addition, women have been banned from attending sports clubs, restaurants, public bathhouses, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian (mahram), and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund office in Afghanistan, has recently announced that an estimated 857,000 children under the age of five are expected to require treatment due to acute malnutrition. In a message posted today (Sunday, Jun 4) on its X account, the organization said that in November it screened 1.2 million children for wasting, of whom 33,510 children were admitted for treatment. UNICEF emphasized that 58 percent of these children were girls. The UN Children’s Fund further stated: “However, the need remains high—an estimated 857,000 children under five are expected to require treatment for acute malnutrition.” Previously, UNICEF had also announced that the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition in Afghanistan has risen to 3.7 million. The organization said it aims to provide treatment services to 1.3 million children suffering from severe wasting and high-risk moderate malnutrition, but it is facing a funding shortfall. Recently, some malnutrition treatment centers have been closed. This comes as a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), published by the United Nations, forecasts that 17.4 million people will face severe food insecurity in the coming winter.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recently stated that people in Afghanistan continue to face challenges in accessing health services. In a message published today (Wednesday, Dec 31) on its X account, the organization wrote that in 2025 alone, around 508,431 health consultations were provided for returnees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable families. The IOM further emphasized that this support included general health services, mental health counseling, and psychosocial assistance. The statement added that 64,947 women benefited from health services over the past year, and more than 91,000 children were screened for malnutrition. The organization also noted that over 48,000 people received mental health counseling and psychosocial support. It is worth noting that after taking control of Afghanistan, the current authorities deprived women and girls of education. In their latest restriction, they closed medical institutes to women and girls, while the health sector across Afghanistan is facing a severe shortage of personnel. This action by the current authorities has resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education. In addition, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even United Nations offices in Afghanistan. The imposition of these restrictions has had a direct impact on the country’s health sector. These limitations have further restricted access to health services and will have serious consequences for public health, particularly for mothers and children. International organizations have repeatedly warned about the shortage of female healthcare workers in Afghanistan, stating that restrictions on women’s education at universities have paralyzed the country’s health sector.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, has recently stated that every child has the right to “dream, play, and grow” in a safe environment. In a message published on its official X account, the organization wrote that UNICEF-supported safe spaces in Afghanistan not only protect children but also provide essential psychosocial support services. According to available reports, children in Afghanistan face serious challenges due to widespread poverty, ongoing humanitarian crises, restrictions on education, and limited access to healthcare services. As a result, many of them are growing up in high-risk environments. Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund had previously reported that in 2026, more than 11 million children in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance. According to the report, the current conditions have placed women, pregnant mothers, children, youth, and marginalized groups at greater risk than ever before. The World Food Programme had earlier announced that Afghanistan ranks fourth globally in terms of acute child malnutrition. Currently, around five million mothers and children are suffering from malnutrition, and the crisis continues to worsen. Statistics also indicate an increase in hunger compared to last year, with an additional three million Afghans now facing acute food insecurity.

Local sources in Kapisa province say that the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has dismissed 41 female employees in the province due to a lack of funding. At least two sources, confirming the issue, said: “These women were working in the health sector, especially in nutrition. All of them have been dismissed. They were told there is no budget.” The source further emphasized that all staff of the nutrition sector (TSFP) at health centers in Kapisa province were suddenly dismissed without prior notice. The source added that this decision has caused economic hardship for the dismissed employees and serious concern among local residents. Another source also said that nutrition services—especially for children suffering from malnutrition and for pregnant and breastfeeding women—are a vital necessity. The sources stressed that the suspension of these services in deprived areas could have dangerous consequences for people in different regions and would limit access to essential healthcare services. This comes as the United Nations World Food Programme has repeatedly expressed concern over the rising number of mothers and children suffering from malnutrition, stating that food insecurity and malnutrition in Afghanistan are worsening at an alarming rate. According to United Nations statistics, nearly 23 million people in Afghanistan are in urgent need of food assistance. Meanwhile, UN agencies have repeatedly warned that women and girls suffer the most from the humanitarian crisis due to cultural restrictions and Taliban policies.