The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced that while the world needs 900,000 midwives, many of the women and girls who rely on them are being overlooked. In a statement shared on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization wrote that midwives save lives in times of crisis, and trained midwives working in fully functional settings can prevent up to two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths. The statement further added that midwives are capable of delivering 90% of all essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services. Despite their importance, UNFPA noted that midwives make up only 10% of the global health workforce due to underinvestment and lack of support. The organization emphasized that since 2008, it has been working with partners and governments to build a workforce of “well-trained and well-supported midwives in low-resource settings.” UNFPA also stated that it is committed to “strengthing midwifery education, creating an enabling environment and regulatory mechanisms for midwives, and preparing midwives to deliver integrated and comprehensive sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services.” This critical need for midwives comes as Afghanistan ranks seventh in the world for the highest maternal mortality rate. Since returning to power, the Taliban’s caretaker government has not only imposed social and legal restrictions on women and girls but has also closed the doors of schools and universities to them. Furthermore, in the winter of 2024 (1403 in the Solar Hijri calendar), the current government banned girls from studying at private medical institutes. This decision sparked reactions from the World Health Organization and human rights organizations. The WHO stated in a press release that banning girls from medical education could cripple Afghanistan’s healthcare system.

Afghan women cricketers say they left their country because they are women who want to play sports, adding that there is no longer any space for female athletes in Afghanistan. Firooza Amiri, one of the Afghan athletes who is no longer allowed to play in the country due to restrictions imposed by the current regime, has now formed a cricket team in Australia alongside other Afghan girls. In an interview with India Today, she said: "I left my country because I am a woman who wants to play sports. There is no place for female athletes in Afghanistan anymore." These cricket players, who trained and competed for years, can no longer participate in tournaments or even practice. Firooza Amiri emphasized: "When the restrictions began, our training sessions were canceled, the national team’s matches were stopped, and we were told we could no longer play. That was extremely difficult for me and my teammates." She added that after receiving threats and facing insecurity, she and her teammates applied for asylum and were relocated to Australia. She noted that with the support of organizations aiding refugees and athletes, they were able to re-establish the Afghan women’s cricket team in Australia. These girls say: "This team now serves not only for playing cricket but also for delivering messages about women’s rights and highlighting the importance of women’s freedom in sports in Afghanistan." The athletes also stated: "We do not want to be seen as victims. We want to prove that Afghan women are capable and can succeed in any field." With hope, one of them said: "We miss our homeland, but we want to be the voice of Afghan women through cricket. We hope to one day play again in our own country and witness freedom and progress for women." The formation of this new team has received support from several international human rights organizations and global athletes. It should be noted that since the current regime took power, strict laws against women have been imposed. Women are banned from entering stadiums, and participation in many sports disciplines has been prohibited for women.

Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), highlighted the importance of education for women and girls, as well as freedom of expression in the country, following her visit to Bamyan province. In a message published on its official Facebook page, UNAMA stated that Ms. Gagnon met with local residents during her visit to Bamyan and discussed their challenges and concerns. The statement added that the Deputy Representative of the UN political mission in Afghanistan also met with female entrepreneurs and visited an educational institution, a women's rehabilitation center, and Bamyan Radio. Female journalists at Bamyan Radio, during their meeting with the UNAMA deputy, called for continued support from media organizations for this local radio station. UNAMA further wrote: "Local residents expressed their concerns about the sharp decline in international aid, as well as difficulties in political, social, and economic sectors, and the growing poverty." Additionally, during her visit, the UNAMA deputy visited a health center in Shibar district of Bamyan and met with female health workers and several local women. This UN official's emphasis on education, freedom of expression, and women's and girls' participation comes at a time when they have been deprived of their most basic rights for nearly four years. Since taking power, the de facto government has banned girls from attending school above the sixth grade, and these restrictions have gradually expanded into various other areas.

Zakia Khodadadi, a para-taekwondo athlete from Afghanistan, has recently announced that she has won a bronze medal at the Brazil Open Para-Taekwondo (Rio Open G2 2025). This morning (Thursday, June 8), Ms. Khodadadi shared a message on her Instagram account stating that she has proudly earned the bronze medal in para-taekwondo at the Brazil Open. The Afghan para-taekwondo athlete continued by writing, "This medal is not just for me; it is for all the women of Afghanistan who stand strong despite all the hardships." Zakia Khodadadi added, "We may face obstacles, but we will never give up. We rise up, always." It is worth noting that Zakia Khodadadi was awarded the Emerging Leadership category of the International Paralympic Committee's International Women's Day Award 2025 earlier this year for her advocacy for women's rights in Afghanistan, particularly the right to education and sports for girls. Additionally, Zakia Khodadadi was the first Afghan female athlete to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, earning the title of "Brave Woman" in this sporting event. This Afghan girl has previously won a gold medal at the European Para-Taekwondo Championships, a bronze medal at the 2022 World Grand Prix, a silver medal at an international competition in Albania, and a bronze medal at the Para-Taekwondo Championships in Egypt in 2016.

The World Food Program has recently announced that over four million mothers and children in Afghanistan are suffering from malnutrition. In a video shared on its X account, the organization stated that some of these women are receiving treatment with the support of the World Health Organization. The World Food Program had previously warned that there is a possibility of 3.5 million children becoming malnourished by the year 2025. According to a report from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this figure has increased compared to the past four years. OCHA and the World Food Program attribute this situation to rising poverty and lack of food security. It is worth noting that malnutrition is a serious crisis in Afghanistan, especially among children, and issues such as poverty and lack of access to proper health and nutrition services hinder the provision of essential treatments and prevention of this disease. OCHA, or the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations, has predicted that the number of malnourished children in Afghanistan will reach 3.5 million by 2025. According to United Nations reports, this figure has been around 3 million children under five years old over the past five years.

OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has announced that 48% of the people in Afghanistan live below the poverty line, and over 22 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. In a published report, the organization stated that the restrictive policies of the interim government have hindered women's and girls' access to aid. The report indicates that by 2025, approximately 5.7 million women, 12 million children, 5 million elderly individuals, and 3 million persons with disabilities in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, years of conflict and widespread poverty in the country have been accompanied by high levels of food insecurity, malnutrition, prolonged displacement, widespread contamination from unexploded ordnance, and the outbreak of communicable diseases. The report highlights that 14.8 million people are facing food insecurity, and more than 3 million individuals live near areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance. Additionally, UNAMA stated in a note on its Facebook account following the release of this report: "These figures are not just numbers. Our inability to mobilize adequate and timely funding will have devastating consequences." According to the report, the United Nations has requested over $2.4 billion for humanitarian assistance in 2025, but only 12% of this funding has been secured so far. OCHA emphasized that since the current government's takeover of Afghanistan, extensive restrictive policies against the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls have been implemented, limiting their access to aid and services and reducing their participation in public life.

The Ulema Council of Ghazni province has issued a new decree stating that divorce of women should be prevented without "urgent and compelling necessity" in this province. Recently, this council published a 15-article resolution regarding marriage, dowry, and women's rights. The resolution states: "Of all that is permissible, divorce is the least favorable in Islam. However, it is only permissible in cases of necessity. Therefore, divorce should be avoided without urgent and compelling necessity." Article five of this resolution mentions that recently some individuals have compelled husbands to initiate "divorce by mutual consent" due to disobedience and opposition from their wives; however, the financial compensation for such a divorce is considered impermissible for men, and this unlawful practice should be prevented. The Ghazni Ulema Council has stated that alongside the poor economic situation, the dowry for daughters has increased, causing difficulties for the people. Furthermore, it is noted that this resolution has been issued to address the problems faced by the youth and to uphold the dignity of women. Article one of the resolution states that the dowry is a woman's legal right and must be given to her. Article two specifies that excessive dowry leads to unlawful practices, and the Ulema Council and influential figures in each district should determine the appropriate amount of dowry based on the welfare of the people. Additionally, article three emphasizes that the woman should be consulted in marriage, and her consent is necessary. Articles seven and eight state that weddings must be conducted according to Sharia law, and any expenses beyond the dowry are prohibited, such as purchasing gifts or paying money. Article nine asserts that a widow has the right to determine her dowry and can marry whomever she wishes. The resolution further stipulates that marriage should not be replaced; if it is, a dowry must be specified for each party. Moreover, article eleven states that shooting firearms or forcing a woman to wear a veil to compel her into an unlawful marriage is prohibited, and those who engage in such actions will face punishment. The Ghazni Ulema Council has also prohibited the forced marriage of women. In article fourteen of this council's resolution, it is stated that if a woman is married off without her consent, the marriage is not valid. Additionally, article fifteen bans shooting firearms, taking photographs, and filming at weddings; anyone caught engaging in these activities will be punished. It is worth noting that the current government has imposed restrictions on women's rights since its takeover of Afghanistan.

Najia Jalal, a social activist and founder of the grassroots organization Gift for Girls, has won the first prize at the E³UDRES² International Science Festival 2025 in Austria for her educational and support projects aimed at women and girls in crisis situations. Najia Jalal, a master’s student in Human Rights, Politics, and Law at Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Germany, impressed both judges and audiences with her impactful initiatives, securing the top spot at the prestigious international festival. The festival, held under the motto “Local Pulse, Global Waves”, was hosted by St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences in Austria on May 19–20, in collaboration with universities and higher education institutions from across Europe. The event featured 20 student projects from various EU countries competing for top honors. Gift for Girls, founded by Najia Jalal, attracted widespread acclaim for its effective programs, including support for underground schools for girls in Afghanistan and the provision of psychological and psychosocial support services for women and girls in crisis. The initiative is centered around two main goals: 1. Establishing and supporting underground schools for girls in Afghanistan, operating under oppressive educational conditions. 2. Providing psychotherapy and psychosocial support to women and girls in crisis, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare and mental health services. Competing against 19 other student-led projects from across the European Union, Gift for Girls received the highest number of votes during both online and in-person voting rounds on May 19 and 20, 2025. E³UDRES² is an alliance of nine higher education institutions and dozens of academic and research organizations across Europe, working to promote social innovation, sustainable development, and international collaboration. This achievement marks a significant step in advocating for the rights of women and children in difficult circumstances and highlights the power of science in addressing global challenges.