Shahrzad Akbar, a human rights activist from Afghanistan, states that the conflicts between government forces and Pakistan, along with the rising civilian casualties, have intensified the pressures on women who are facing severe restrictions.
In a video released by Femena, an organization supporting feminist movements, she mentioned that the exclusion of women from public life, the deprivation of girls above the sixth grade, and extensive restrictions on movement had already made life difficult for women; however, the escalation of insecurity has deepened the crisis.
She further emphasized that this situation has made it more challenging for women to access health services and humanitarian aid, especially for families led by women.
She noted that restrictions on women’s work in aid organizations have also complicated the process of providing assistance to women and children.
In part of her remarks, the Afghan human rights activist referred to the story of a female doctor who lost her life during the clashes between government forces and Pakistan: “A female doctor traveling with her young son from Nuristan was shot by Pakistani border forces, and both lost their lives. In a country like Afghanistan, especially in rural areas where female doctors are very few, losing such an individual is a double loss for society.”
She stressed that this is just one of hundreds of documented cases; there are also instances where families have been completely wiped out as a result of the conflicts.
This human rights activist called for serious attention to the multifaceted consequences of these conflicts and stated that without considering the special circumstances of women, the response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan will be incomplete.
In addition to this situation, Afghanistan under the current government faces extensive restrictions on women and girls, ranging from the prohibition of education for girls above the sixth grade to severe limitations on work and movement.
