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.
