Over 70 Percent Of Afghan Women Face Barriers To Humanitarian Aid, Says UN
More than 70 percent of Afghan women face difficulties in accessing humanitarian aid, according to a new report by UN Women on the situation of women in Afghanistan.
More than 70 percent of Afghan women face difficulties in accessing humanitarian aid, according to a new report by UN Women on the situation of women in Afghanistan.
The report, published on Sunday, 27 April, reviews the gendered dimensions of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan throughout 2024. It identifies the absence of female staff in humanitarian organisations and restrictions on women’s freedom of movement as the primary obstacles.
UN Women states that the Taliban’s stringent regulations including the requirement for a male guardian (mahram) during travel and the enforcement of strict compulsory hijab laws have severely restricted women’s participation in public life.
The report also highlights that the Taliban’s ban on women working for NGOs and UN agencies has drastically reduced women’s and girls’ access to essential services, such as healthcare, education, nutrition, and protection. It notes that the exclusion of women has also weakened community-based responses to humanitarian needs.
Furthermore, the report warns that the ongoing ban on girls’ education continues to perpetuate poverty across the country. According to the findings, only 43% of school-aged girls are currently enrolled in education, and participation among girls aged 13 to 17 is almost non-existent.
Economic pressures on families particularly female-headed households have increased significantly in 2024. The report notes that many families have been forced to adopt desperate coping strategies, such as skipping meals, withdrawing children from school, and resorting to child marriage.
The shortage of female healthcare workers, compounded by Taliban-imposed restrictions on women’s employment, has drastically curtailed women’s access to medical services, contributing to worsening maternal health conditions.
The report further indicates that Afghan women and girls are facing heightened risks of gender-based violence and early marriage, largely due to their exclusion from social decision-making processes.
While organisations led by women could play a pivotal role in supporting women’s rights, the report notes that many have collapsed due to severe funding shortages.
To address these challenges, UN Women recommends hiring more female staff within humanitarian organisations and providing financial support to women-led institutions.
