The Associated Press has reported that three years after the ban on secondary and higher education for girls in Afghanistan, many teenage girls who have been denied access to formal education are now turning to religious schools. In a published report, the news agency stated that after returning to power in 2021, the Taliban-led interim government became the only country in the world to officially ban girls from secondary and higher education—an unprecedented move. The report adds that in the absence of any formal educational options, religious schools have become the only educational refuge for thousands of Afghan girls. Nahida, a 13-year-old girl who works in a cemetery in Kabul every day after finishing primary school, speaks of her dream of becoming a doctor: “A dream that, in her view, now seems out of reach. She plans to enroll in a religious school in the upcoming academic year.” Nahida tells the Associated Press with despair: “I would prefer to go to a regular school, but I can't—so I go to a religious one.” Zahedurrahman Sahabi, director of the Tasneem Nusrat Islamic Sciences Center in Kabul, told the AP: “Since schools are closed to girls, they see this as an opportunity to learn.” This center has around 400 students, 90 percent of whom are women ranging in age from three to sixty. They study the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Hadiths, and the Arabic language. He added that even before the closure of formal schools, religious schools were popular, but now the number of applicants has risen dramatically. Currently, there is no accurate data on how many girls have turned to religious schools. However, Karamatullah Akhundzada, Deputy Minister of Education, previously stated that over one million new students enrolled in religious schools just last year. He said the total number of students in these institutions has now exceeded three million.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has recently warned that job opportunities in the country remain severely limited, wages for workers are low, and people's purchasing power has declined. In its weekly Afghanistan market report, which reviews market conditions during the third week of July 2025, the organization stated that the average number of working days for seasonal laborers is only 2.4 days per week, while the average daily wage for unskilled workers is reported to be 316 Afghanis. WFP emphasized that these figures indicate no improvement in employment levels or income compared to the two-year average, and that widespread economic stagnation and unemployment persist. The report further notes that prices of several essential food items remain high across the country compared to the same period last year. According to the organization, the price of salt has increased by 20%, cooking oil by 18%, rice by 9%, and low-cost wheat flour by 1%. The report indicates that the national average price of WFP’s in-kind food basket rose by 0.3% compared to the previous week and by 1% compared to last year. This basket, which includes the basic food needs of families, serves as a benchmark for measuring food access under both normal and crisis conditions. It also states that the food basket defined by the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster in May 2024 at a cost of 5,800 Afghanis has now decreased by 5.1%. However, the price level has not yet reached a point that would require immediate revision or adjustment. According to the report, the prices of key vegetables decreased during the third week of July, mainly due to increased domestic production and improved access to markets. Specifically, the price of tomatoes dropped by 4.7%, onions became 1.4% cheaper, and the price of potatoes rose by 1%. In the non-food sector, such as chemical fertilizers and livestock feed, the report shows slight weekly fluctuations. However, on a year-on-year basis, fertilizer prices have declined, while prices of concentrated animal feed and improved seeds have increased.

The United Nations Women agency has stated that Afghanistan is currently facing one of the most severe women's rights crises in the world. In a newly published report, the agency said that according to its 2024 Gender Equality Index, women in Afghanistan have access to only 17.3% of their human rights and potential — compared to the global average of 60.7%. The report notes that this figure makes Afghanistan the second country in the world with the widest gender gap. It goes on to state that women in Afghanistan have been almost entirely removed from all aspects of public life, and 8 out of every 10 young women are deprived of education and employment — a figure nearly four times higher than that of men. Furthermore, it states that women are still not allowed to work in many sectors, cannot travel without a male escort, and are even banned from entering parks and public spaces. The UN Women report warns that Afghanistan’s development will continue to decline unless the entire population — especially women — is empowered to contribute to progress. The report also points out that decisions made by the international community have contributed to the worsening situation in Afghanistan. In 2025, following the U.S. government's decision to shut down USAID (the U.S. Agency for International Development), over $1.3 billion in global humanitarian aid was cut, of which $562 million had been allocated specifically for Afghanistan. One of the programs affected by this funding cut was a $50 million scholarship fund for Afghan women — a fund that was independently managed and did not rely on taxpayer money. The agency stated that the World Food Programme has warned this funding cut "could amount to a death sentence" for millions at risk of starvation — particularly women and children. The UN Population Fund also lost $24 million in funding designated for women’s health services. As a result, some clinics have shut down, reproductive health services have collapsed, and food aid distribution has ceased. Nevertheless, the United Nations emphasizes that the Gender Equality Index is not just a measurement tool, but a roadmap for global action. Over the past nearly four years, the current government has imposed increasingly strict restrictions on women and girls, removing them from public spaces. Women have been deprived of even their most basic rights under government decrees. UN experts and human rights activists have described such policies as a form of "gender apartheid."

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recently announced that with the suspension of U.S. financial assistance, 9 million women in Afghanistan will no longer have access to maternal healthcare and broader health services. In a message posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, July 23, UNFPA called for continued financial support, warning that the progress made in reducing maternal mortality in Afghanistan is at risk of being reversed. The statement added: “The halt in future funding comes in addition to termination warnings the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has already received for over 40 humanitarian grants. These grants, totaling approximately $335 million, provide essential maternal healthcare, protection from violence, treatment for sexual assault, and other life-saving services in over 20 countries and crisis regions.” It further stated: “This funding reduction will have a devastating impact on women and girls around the world.” Previously, UNFPA had said in another statement that over 6.3 million women would be deprived of maternal and wider health services if U.S. aid were cut. The organization noted that the United States had become one of its most significant partners, contributing an average of $180 million annually. According to available reports, humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has declined. The U.S., which was the largest donor to the country, cut its aid to Afghanistan and other poor countries following the rise of Donald Trump. Additionally, restrictions imposed on women and girls have dealt a severe blow to Afghanistan’s already struggling economy. At the same time, the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan continues — a situation that is further worsening the crisis.

The United Nations Women’s section in Afghanistan has recently described the situation of women and girls returning from Iran and Pakistan as critical. In a report titled "Gender Alert" published on its official X account, the organization stated that women and girls made up nearly one-third of returnees from Iran in 2025 and about half of those returning from Pakistan. It is worth noting that women and children are among the most vulnerable groups among the deportees. The UN has called this crisis a “test of our collective humanity” and urged the international community to increase funding to support returning women and girls. Part of the report highlights that since September 2023, over 2.43 million undocumented Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan, with more than 1.1 million of them coming from Iran just in the current year. Meanwhile, upon returning to Afghanistan, women face widespread restrictions such as bans on education, denial of the right to work, and gender-based discrimination, making their situation extremely fragile and vulnerable. These deportations have intensified following the Iran-Israel war, while Afghanistan is already facing a severe human rights and humanitarian crisis. Many deportees — including women, journalists, and human rights defenders — are at real risk of human rights violations.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently announced that the Afghanistan women's cricket team has the opportunity to take part in international competitions, including the 2025 Cricket World Cup. In a statement, the council said that as part of an initiative to support displaced Afghan women cricketers, these players will receive key opportunities to participate in ICC events, including the 2025 Cricket World Cup and next year’s T20 World Cup in England. The ICC emphasized that this initiative is progressing in collaboration with the cricket boards of India (BCCI), England and Wales (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA). The decision was made following extensive efforts to support the Afghanistan women's team, which has been banned from playing by the current de facto government. It is worth noting that most members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team, now living in Australia, were banned from participation in 2021 by the current authorities. The ICC had earlier announced the formation of a special task force aimed at supporting the Afghanistan women’s cricket team. The council also stated that it would establish a dedicated fund to financially support the players of the women’s team. It should be noted that since the current regime took control of Afghanistan, women have been barred from sports, education, and employment. Female athletes have either left the country or quit sports altogether.

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has stated that the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls are being violated in an unprecedented and deliberate manner by the de facto authorities. In a report shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization said that women and girls in Afghanistan have been almost entirely excluded from all aspects of social, economic, and educational life. UN Women released a report titled “Afghanistan Gender Index 2024”, stating that nearly 8 out of 10 young women in the country are deprived of education, employment, and skills training. The report also highlights that Afghanistan ranks as the second country in the world with the largest gender gap. According to the UN’s findings, there is a 76% disparity between men and women in areas such as health, education, financial access, and decision-making participation. UN Women further warned that sustainable development in Afghanistan is not possible without the participation and empowerment of women. Meanwhile, with ongoing restrictions, the human rights crisis in Afghanistan has deepened, and women are increasingly deprived of education, work, and social engagement. At the same time, reports of humiliating deportations of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries—especially Iran and Pakistan—and the detention of girls for not being accompanied by a male guardian, have raised further concerns about the human rights situation in the country. Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities have imposed widespread restrictions on the fundamental rights and freedoms of women, barring them from education and employment. This has led to millions of school-aged girls being excluded from formal education. Additionally, women have been banned from accessing gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs and even at United Nations offices within Afghanistan.

Amnesty International has called for an end to the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran, stating that the country must recognize Afghan women and girls as prima facie refugees. In a statement published on its X account, the organization wrote that Iranian authorities must immediately halt the mass deportations of Afghan nationals and individuals born in Iran. The statement further reads that the Islamic Republic must stop violating the principle of non-refoulement, as returning individuals who face real risks and human rights violations is prohibited. Amnesty International emphasized: "All countries, including Iran, must recognize Afghan women and girls as prima facie refugees and must not return them to a place where the current regime is committing crimes against humanity and gender-based persecution against them." It also stated that Iranian authorities are violently raiding the homes of Afghan migrants, arbitrarily detaining and deporting them. According to the statement, Iran has deported over one million Afghan migrants this year, including women and children—particularly unaccompanied minors. Amnesty International added that these mass deportations are taking place amid a human rights crisis in Afghanistan. The statement noted that many of those being forcibly returned to Afghanistan are protesting women, human rights activists, and journalists. These deportations have intensified following the Iran-Israel conflict, while Afghanistan is facing a severe human and rights crisis, placing many deportees—including women, journalists, and human rights defenders—at real risk of human rights violations.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has recently issued a warning about the water shortage crisis in Kabul, stating that Afghanistan’s capital is facing an unprecedented water crisis. In a post shared today (Thursday, 26 Saratan) on its official X account, the program stated that water levels in Kabul have significantly dropped, putting six million people at risk. UN-Habitat emphasized: “Addressing this crisis requires large-scale investment, strong cooperation, and increased public awareness about water use and management.” It further stated: “Water is life. Let’s act now.” It is worth mentioning that experts have warned about the decline in Kabul’s groundwater levels and say the Afghan capital could become the first city to completely run out of water. According to a report published recently by the non-governmental organization Mercy Corps, the level of underground water in Kabul has dropped by up to 30 meters over the past decade due to rapid urbanization and the climate crisis. The report states that current water extraction exceeds the natural groundwater recharge by 44 million cubic meters annually. Additionally, UNAMA had earlier warned that if this trend continues, all of Kabul’s underground water sources could dry up by early 2030, putting millions of the city’s residents at risk.

Rosa Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has expressed concern over the country’s educational situation and literacy rate. She stated that Afghanistan has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world, with 50% of men and 80% of women being illiterate. Ms. Otunbayeva made these remarks on during her speech at the "Kabul Book Festival," noting that only 50% of men and 20% of women in Afghanistan have the ability to read and write. The UN Special Representative described the denial of education for girls as a serious obstacle to development and self-reliance and called for investor support for the literacy sector in Afghanistan.According to UNESCO's new definition, literacy is no longer limited to the ability to read and write. UNESCO defines a literate person as someone who can use their knowledge and skills to create meaningful change in their personal life and actively participate in society. This broader definition includes abilities such as comprehension, interpretation, creation, communication, and calculation across various contexts. However, in Afghanistan, even a significant portion of the population still lacks basic reading and writing skills. Meanwhile, since the return of the caretaker government to power, girls above the sixth grade have been banned from attending school, and universities have also been closed to them. This decision by the current government has prevented millions of school-aged girls from continuing their education. In addition, women are banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in both national and international NGOs and even United Nations offices in Afghanistan.