International media have reported that Somaye Ramesh, a poet, writer, and former member of the Herat Provincial Council, has won Italy’s international literary award, the “Laudomia Bonanni” Prize. Ms. Ramesh announced today (Saturday, Nov. 22) that she received the International Poetry Award at the 24th edition of this literary event. According to the report, this prize is among the most prestigious literary awards in Italy and is presented annually with the participation of national and international writers and researchers. After receiving the international poetry award, Somaye Ramesh stated: “This honor is not only for me; it is an honor for the women of Afghanistan who have challenged the system of oppression.” She said that the prize was awarded to her for the publication of her book titled “The Word in Exile” and her “civil” activism. She further emphasized that in Afghanistan, even writing is considered a crime for women, yet they continue to fight alone against oppression and gender apartheid. It is worth noting that in another ceremony organized by Italy’s Ministry of Justice as part of the National Literary Poetry Prize, Somaye Ramesh’s literary contributions were also recognized. The Laudomia Bonanni Literary Prize is one of Italy’s most significant literary awards, held every year with the participation of national and international writers and researchers. Somaye Ramesh wins this international poetry award at a time when the interim government in Afghanistan has banned romantic poetry and the depiction of boys and girls in poems, warning that violators will be punished. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the current government has deprived women and girls of education. Most recently, it closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, even though the health sector across Afghanistan faces a shortage of personnel. This action has caused millions of female students to be excluded from education. In addition, women have been prohibited from going to gyms, restaurants, public bathhouses, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in both national and international NGOs and even UN offices in Afghanistan.

Samira Asghari, the youngest member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has emphasized the need for dialogue with Afghanistan’s interim government in order to bring girls and women back into sports. Asghari, now 31 and living in Europe, made these remarks in an interview with The Guardian, stating that her main goal is “to end the severe restrictions on women’s sports in Afghanistan”—a goal she believes can only be achieved through negotiations with the current authorities. She further stressed: “My message to all Afghan women is that if there is even a small opportunity to participate in sports, don’t miss it. Never give up.” Asghari says her focus is to ensure that by the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, conditions are created for the development of sports in schools and for providing sports facilities for Afghan girls. The IOC member added that if girls’ primary schools are equipped with sports gear and trained coaches, a new generation will be able to become familiar with sports such as futsal, basketball, and taekwondo. She acknowledged that negotiating with the interim government faces widespread criticism, but she considers it “necessary.” “The current government violates human rights—this is a fact; but we cannot ignore Afghan girls. We must engage in dialogue to find a way for women to return to sports,” she said. The International Olympic Committee has been in talks with the current Afghan sports authorities since December 2022 to reduce restrictions on women’s sports. Asghari made these comments in Riyadh during the Islamic Solidarity Games, where Afghanistan sent 76 athletes—most of them migrants and exiles—to compete. This number is a sharp contrast to the six-member team introduced last year for the Paris Olympics. Afghanistan also won its first-ever gold medal in these competitions. Mohammad Yousuf Jahangir became the champion in Muay Thai. Asghari says these games could be significant for Afghanistan “both athletically and politically.” She believes that the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, led by Saudi Arabia, could play the role of mediator with Afghanistan’s current government. According to her, with proper investment and planning for athletes, Afghanistan could achieve better results in the 2028 Olympic Games.

The United Nations has recently announced that 12.9 million children across Afghanistan are at risk of measles, diarrhea, and other diseases. In a newly released report, the organization stated that its volunteer teams, along with partners from other organizations, are working to confront this crisis by providing healthcare services to vulnerable children throughout Afghanistan. The UN volunteer team in Afghanistan, which officially operates under the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program, emphasized that access to healthcare services is vital for Afghan children. This warning about the risk of outbreaks of various diseases — including measles and diarrhea — among Afghan children comes as the World Health Organization announced on November 8 that more than 55,000 suspected cases of measles have been reported in Afghanistan since the beginning of this year, with 357 people — mostly children — losing their lives due to the disease. Doctors Without Borders had also previously reported that one child in Afghanistan dies every day from measles. Additionally, UNICEF had earlier stated that by July of this year, a total of over 100,000 cases of acute watery diarrhea and 48 related deaths had been recorded. UNICEF added that more than half of those infected are children under the age of five.

OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has stated in its latest announcement on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day that women and girls in Afghanistan, after more than four years, continue to face oppressive restrictions. In a newly released report, the agency said that women and girls in Afghanistan are still deprived of education, work, and public life. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs further emphasized that providing humanitarian assistance to women and girls under these circumstances is vital. World Humanitarian Day arrives as half of Afghanistan’s population depends on humanitarian aid for survival. A part of OCHA’s report states: “On this day in particular, the people of Afghanistan are facing multiple and complex crises. In recent months, geopolitical developments and regional tensions have led to the return of nearly two million Afghan citizens from Iran and Pakistan, many of whom have returned involuntarily.” OCHA has also warned about the reduction in humanitarian aid and the ongoing droughts in Afghanistan. This comes as, following the return to power of the current government in Afghanistan, women and girls have been deprived of their most fundamental rights, including education, employment, and individual freedoms. As a result of the current administration’s actions, millions of schoolgirls have been prevented from accessing 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 national and international NGOs, including UN offices in Afghanistan.

Georgette Gagnon, the acting head of the UN Assistance Mission in Kabul, says that Afghanistan’s future is linked to ensuring education for everyone, as the ban on girls’ education beyond grade six has entered its fourth year. Ms. Gagnon made these remarks during her visit to community-based classes for girls in Kapisa, which are supported by UNICEF. The acting head of UNAMA emphasized the importance of supporting education for all in Afghanistan. It is worth noting that currently, schools for girls are only open up to grade six. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the current government has deprived women and girls of education. Most recently, it closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, even though the health sector across the country is facing a shortage of personnel. This action by the current authorities has left millions of school-aged girls without access to 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 NGOs, as well as UN offices in Afghanistan.

Roya Karimi, an Afghan female bodybuilder, has secured third place in the global “Wellness Natural” competition. Karimi announced her achievement in a post on her Instagram account, stating that the international event took place in Santa Susanna, near Barcelona, Spain. She dedicated her victory to the women of Afghanistan who have been deprived of basic freedoms. She emphasized that the competition included the IFBB Pro World Championships, covering categories such as Body Fitness and Wellness Fitness. Roya Karimi competed in the professional (Pro) division of bodybuilding and earned her position from among approximately 45 participants. In part of her message, she wrote: “On the global stage, I stand free; but I dedicate this top-three victory to the Afghan women who have been denied freedom. You are my strength, and my spirit stands alongside every woman in Afghanistan whose wings have been constrained. Your strength brought me here. This victory belongs to you.” In recent years, Roya Karimi has emerged as one of Afghanistan’s most successful figures in bodybuilding, earning several high-ranking titles at both amateur and professional levels in prestigious European competitions. Before participating in the “Wellness Natural” competition, she had already appeared in several international contests, and due to her remarkable progress, discipline, and consistency in training, she has become a well-known athlete among Afghan migrants. Her achievement on the world stage comes at a time when women and girls in Afghanistan face extensive restrictions and are banned from participating in sports.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced that Japan has contributed 864 million yen, equivalent to $5.6 million, to improve livelihoods and support economic opportunities for women and girls in Afghanistan. In a statement released on Tuesday, November 27, the agency said that a memorandum of understanding was signed between Kenichi Masamoto, Japan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Stephen Rodriguez, UNDP’s Representative for Afghanistan. With this contribution, a two-year project titled “Enhancing Women’s Livelihoods through Promoting Economic Activities in Border Areas” will be launched. According to the statement, the project will utilize 73 small-scale initiatives to improve access to community-based productive infrastructure, financial resources, and markets for 2,100 women-led small and medium enterprises, thereby promoting inclusive local economies. The statement also quoted Ambassador Masamoto as saying: “Japan stands with the people of Afghanistan—especially women—in their pursuit of economic independence and human dignity.” He added: “This project will help create safe and effective opportunities for women so they can support themselves and their families.” Meanwhile, Stephen Rodriguez emphasized that this initiative builds on the previous project aimed at strengthening the economic engagement of women and girls in the private sector, which demonstrated that investing in women-led businesses is essential for a prosperous Afghanistan. In the previous project, UNDP supported 1,260 women-led businesses and created more than 2,500 jobs, 87% of which were filled by women. Nearly 90 infrastructure projects under this framework are also nearing completion. This development comes as the interim Afghan government has imposed widespread restrictions on the economic and social activities of women since regaining power, banning women and girls from working in government offices, domestic and international NGOs, and forcing the closure of several women-led businesses.

AMSO, the Afghanistan Media Support Organization, has recently reported the arrest of four Afghan journalists and media workers in Pakistan. In a statement posted on its X account, the organization wrote that the arrest of Afghan journalists by Pakistani police is a direct blow to freedom of expression. The statement emphasizes that journalism is not a crime; rather, it is the voice of the people, a reflection of events, and a fundamental tool for conveying the truth. The Afghanistan Media Support Organization further stressed that any form of pressure, threat, or arbitrary detention seriously undermines the safety and independent work of journalists. The organization also called on the Pakistani government and security agencies to immediately release the detained journalists and to respect the safety of journalists who fled the critical situation in Afghanistan. According to the statement, the closure of visa extension pathways for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, along with the continued arrests, has created a concerning situation. The Afghanistan Media Support Organization urged media-supporting institutions and civil society organizations to take urgent and effective action regarding the deteriorating situation of Afghan journalists in Pakistan. Meanwhile, AMSO had recently sent a letter to the United Nations and human rights organizations—signed by 300 Afghan journalists and media workers—calling for support and protection for Afghan journalists in Pakistan. RSF in Exile had also called on the Pakistani government to halt the persecution, arrest, and deportation of Afghan journalists and media workers as soon as possible.

Coinciding with International Students’ Day, the Alliance of Human Rights Activists has warned that policies depriving women and girls of education constitute one of the most unprecedented and systematic attacks on the right to education in the contemporary world. In a statement published on its X account, the organization wrote that denying girls access to education destroys the awareness, identity, and intellectual capacity of Afghanistan’s future generation, and that this project, within the framework of international law, can be considered an “act of cultural genocide, gender apartheid, and a crime against humanity.” The statement further notes that educational restrictions on women are neither scattered nor accidental. By eliminating women from education, these measures deprive half of society of economic, social, and intellectual participation. The statement adds that actions taken against women and girls clearly constitute “cultural genocide.” The Alliance of Human Rights Activists has called on the international community, the United Nations, global educational institutions, and universities around the world to recognize the suppression of women in Afghanistan as “cultural genocide and gender apartheid.” They emphasize that Afghanistan’s future is impossible without women’s education, and that global silence in the face of “the most systematic educational oppression of the present era” paves the way for this crisis to expand. These criticisms arise as the current authorities, since taking control of Afghanistan, have barred women and girls from education. In their latest restriction, they closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, even as the health sector across Afghanistan faces a shortage of personnel. This action has left millions of school-aged girls deprived of education. Additionally, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, receiving medical examinations from male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic or international NGOs—even in UN offices within Afghanistan.