UN Women has issued a stark warning that Afghan women and girls returning to the country face heightened risks of poverty, harassment, early marriage, and abuse. The agency is urging urgent international action to protect their rights and ensure long-term support.
In a joint report released Thursday, with international humanitarian organisation CARE, UN Women expressed deep concern over the situation of Afghan women and girls deported from Iran and Pakistan. The report calls for immediate and sustained assistance.
The findings highlight Afghanistan’s deepening economic crisis and worsening climate conditions, noting that returning women and girls are re-entering a country where their rights and freedoms are already under severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban.
“Vulnerable women and girls arriving with nothing into communities that are already stretched to breaking point puts them at even greater risk,” said Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s Country Representative in Afghanistan.
Ferguson stressed the urgent need for additional funding to support returnees. The report identifies a lack of safe and affordable shelter, stable income, and access to education as among the key challenges they face.
It also details restrictions specifically impacting deported women, including limited freedom of movement, lack of identity documents, and growing security concerns.
“Women humanitarian workers at the border are critical to reaching women and girls. But their work is increasingly limited by foreign aid cuts and movement restrictions,” the report states.
Female humanitarian staff at border crossings have reported being overwhelmed by the growing number of returnees and unable to meet even their most basic needs.
Graham Davison, CARE’s Country Director in Afghanistan, said: “Witnessing the volume of arrivals and the hardship faced by women, children and families, many distressed, disoriented and without hope, has left a deep impact on all of us responding to this crisis.”
He added that immediate support is essential to provide life-saving services, safe spaces, and critical humanitarian assistance to deported women and girls.
