The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan is destabilizing the region and beyond. In a statement, the agency noted that returns to Afghanistan must be voluntary, safe, and dignified. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized that over 1.2 million Afghan citizens have been compelled to return to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis within Afghanistan. The organization added that more than 366,000 Afghan citizens have returned from Iran this year. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has raised concerns about the significant increase in the return of Afghan citizens under difficult conditions from Iran to Afghanistan. According to UN estimates, more than half of Afghanistan's population depends on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. The statement mentioned that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is committed to providing immediate and long-term support to returnees in collaboration with its international partners. The statement quoted Arefat Jamal, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees representative in Afghanistan, as saying that thousands of Afghan citizens are returning to their country under unfavorable conditions. Arefat Jamal called for "immediate and substantial funding to ensure sustainable reintegration and prevent cyclical displacement both within the country and across borders," emphasizing that only 23% of the required funding has been secured so far. According to UN data, in the past week, Iran has deported over 88,000 Afghan migrants from the country.

As the expulsion of Afghan migrants from Iran increases, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) states that women and girls returning to their country are concerned about the situation. The UNHCR has published a report indicating that Iran has intensified the expulsion of migrants in recent weeks, with thousands being sent back to Afghanistan daily. Arefat Jamal, head of the UNHCR office in Afghanistan, who visited the Islam Qala border in Herat province, stated that many Afghans are "terrified and worried" about returning to their country. Mr. Jamal emphasized that these concerns are much greater among women, as they are being returned to a country where they have been deprived of even the most basic rights, including the freedom to move around. The head of the UNHCR office said, "I was right at the border between Iran and Afghanistan, where thousands of Afghans are returning under dire conditions. Afghan families are becoming displaced once again, arriving with minimal belongings, exhausted, hungry, and terrified of what awaits them in a country many of them have never even set foot in. Women and girls are particularly worried because they fear restrictions on freedom of movement and fundamental rights such as education and employment." According to UN data, in the past week alone, Iran has expelled over 88,000 Afghan migrants from the country, Iran has been home to the largest number of Afghan migrants.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recently stated that women and girls in Afghanistan are currently facing significant challenges. In a statement, the program noted that restrictions on education and employment have severely limited opportunities for many Afghan women and girls. The statement also mentioned that some have turned to informal work to support themselves and their families. While these roles are vital, they are often carried out without formal support or long-term stability. It is worth noting that the UN Women also reported on June 16, 2024, that 8 out of every 10 young Afghan women are deprived of education, schooling, and employment. According to the UN Women’s 2024 report on Afghanistan’s gender index, Afghan women and girls have fallen behind global human development standards following the takeover of the country by the de facto authorities. The report indicated that Afghanistan has the second largest gender gap in the world, with 76% inequality between men and women in areas such as health, education, financial access, and participation in decision-making. Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the de facto government has imposed widespread restrictions on the fundamental rights and freedoms of women, banning them from education and employment. As a result, millions of school-aged girls have been deprived of education. In addition, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public bathhouses, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working with both domestic and international NGOs, as well as with UN agencies in Afghanistan.

The Women and Children Research and Advocacy Network has reported that over 90% of women and girls in Afghanistan have lost their jobs following the rise of the caretaker government, and that the restrictive decrees have led to the exclusion of women from nearly all aspects of life. In a newly released report, the Network states that the current government's decrees have caused psychological and economic distress, increased violence, and deprived women and girls of education. According to the statement, the research titled “The Impact of the Caretaker Government's Decrees on Women and Girls in Afghanistan” was conducted between October 2024 and March 2025 in the provinces of Balkh, Kabul, Badakhshan, Herat, Nangarhar, Wardak, Ghazni, Ghor, Logar, and Bamyan. Findings from the research indicate that 36% of women and girls have experienced psychological, economic, physical, and sexual violence, while 65.4% have witnessed violence against women. However, due to lack of legal support, fear of escalation, family concerns, and limited social support, most victims remained silent. The Canada-based network also reported that more than 95% of women and girls are deprived of the right to travel without a male guardian or use public transportation. These restrictions have fueled poverty, despair, increased domestic violence, and the social isolation of women and girls. The network has called on the international community to recognize gender apartheid in Afghanistan. While this organization criticizes the restrictions, the caretaker government, since its return to power, has imposed widespread limitations on women's fundamental rights and freedoms, banning them from education and employment. As a result, millions of school-age girls have been denied access to education. In addition, women have been barred from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs, as well as even UN offices in Afghanistan.

Sima Bahous, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of its Women’s Division, states that achieving peace in Afghanistan is impossible without the meaningful and inclusive participation of women and girls in political processes. Ms. Bahous made these remarks at a United Nations Security Council meeting regarding the situation in Afghanistan, noting that since she began her role as Executive Director of the UN Women’s Division, conditions for Afghan women and girls have worsened, and not a single one of the restrictions imposed by the interim government has been lifted. She emphasized, "In the midst of this escalating crisis, the pleas of Afghan women and girls to the international community not to forget them have often gone unanswered." She added that despite numerous Security Council resolutions supporting female aid workers and their unhindered access to women in Afghanistan, the ability of the UN and its partners to provide services to women has been severely undermined. Additionally, this UN official mentioned that the current government's restrictions have made "the safe employment of female aid workers and even access to affected women more difficult than ever." Sima Bahous expressed her commitment to supporting Afghan women, stating that this international organization will do everything in its power to help these women overcome endless limitations. Ms. Bahous also referred to the recent Afghanistan Gender Index report published by UN Women last week, indicating that one-third of the country's population, particularly women and children, face malnutrition and hunger. She described the restrictions against the rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls as more than just a crisis, labeling it as "harmful to a generation." The Executive Director of UN Women warned that Afghan women and girls must not be marginalized, asserting that the legitimacy and sustainability of any agreement or outcome depend on their meaningful, safe, full, and equal participation. She further urged the Security Council to actively support ongoing efforts to hold the current government accountable.

The Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund has announced that millions of women depend on humanitarian aid to survive, and many families led by women in provinces like Badghis are getting by solely through cash assistance. The fund stated in a report that cash distribution projects managed by female aid workers have been able to create a safe environment for female recipients in provinces like Badghis. The report quotes Guljan, a 55-year-old woman who is the guardian of her grandchildren, as saying: "I came today to get money. My grandchildren will be happy because I can buy them good food and clothes." The Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund emphasized that over the past decade, more than one billion dollars have been allocated to assist the most vulnerable segments of society, especially families headed by women. According to a United Nations report, the economic situation in Afghanistan has worsened since the current government came to power. The United Nations Humanitarian Fund for Afghanistan has stated that the restrictions imposed on women have impacted the economy of the country. The report notes that half of Afghanistan's population requires humanitarian assistance to sustain their lives, with most of these needy individuals being women and children. Additionally, decreasing income, drought, and increasing restrictions on women's participation in society have unprecedentedly heightened the needs of this group.

Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian, the governor of Tehran, has recently announced that the operation to collect and expel "unauthorized" Afghan migrants has intensified. According to the Mehr News Agency, the governor made this statement during a visit to the Askarabad camp on Saturday, June 31, and said: "Dealing with the illegal presence of foreign nationals in the country is a security and social necessity." He emphasized that law enforcement, municipalities, the Center for Foreign Nationals Affairs, and other institutions are conducting the process of identifying, collecting, transferring, and expelling unauthorized individuals with speed and precision. Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian added that Iran's bus company is transporting these migrants to the Afghanistan border. This comes as reports have emerged that following the outbreak of war between Iran and Israel, the country has prevented some Afghan migrants, including those holding census cards and exit permits, from leaving. Several Afghan migrants have stated that despite having exit permits, they were not allowed to leave Iran. It is noteworthy that Iranian officials have not commented on the prevention of migrants holding census cards and exit permits from leaving. It should be mentioned that this year, Iran invalidated the census cards of about two million Afghan migrants, which were considered proof of legal residency, effectively turning them into illegal migrants in the country. The Iranian government issues exit permits to these migrants after they visit the so-called "sponsorship offices" twice and warns them that if they do not leave according to the deadline specified in the permit, they will face fines and forced expulsion.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has recently announced that, in collaboration with France, it will hold a special race for Afghan female cyclists on the sidelines of the World Championships in France, as a gesture of solidarity with the women of Afghanistan. According to a statement from the UCI, the event will take place from June 26 to 28 this year, during which Afghan female cyclists will ride a 115.5-kilometer route— the same course used by French athletes. The UCI emphasized that the individual time trial, covering 26.5 kilometers with a 400-meter elevation gain, will be held on Thursday, June 26. The road race, spanning 115.5 kilometers with a 1,540-meter elevation gain, is scheduled for Saturday, June 28. The statement noted that five Afghan athletes—Fariba Hashimi, Zahra Rezai, Samira Ahrari, Mehnaz Mohammadi, and Yulduz Hashimi—will participate in these races. It is important to mention that these Afghan athletes are not part of the official world championships, but rather will be competing for the title of Afghanistan Women's Cycling Champion 2025. According to the UCI, Fariba Hashimi—winner of the 2022 Afghanistan Women’s Cycling Championship in Switzerland and one of the five cyclists competing this year—has vowed to defend her title with full determination. "I am ready to defend my championship title," Ms. Hashimi said. "Of course, I hope to win again, but I also hope this event will be an opportunity for other athletes to shine." The statement also quoted David Lappartient, President of the UCI, who said it is “an honor” to once again see the best Afghan female cyclists competing for their national title. This comes at a time when, following the return of the de facto government to power, women and girls in Afghanistan have been completely banned from participating in all sports, and the Afghan national women’s sports teams have been dismantled. As a result, many female athletes who once represented Afghanistan on the national level have been forced to leave the country.