The European Union Delegation to Afghanistan, marking the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” has warned that Afghan women face escalating risks of violence, deportation, and internal displacement.
The delegation called for an end to violence against women during migration, return, and displacement, stressing that support for returning women is a core priority in its programmes.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, 7 December, the EU Delegation said it remains committed to upholding the dignity of Afghan women and supporting them as the country confronts multiple overlapping crises.
The warning follows a September report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which found that restrictions on education, employment, and social participation have created severe challenges for Afghan women and girls, challenges compounded for those returning from Iran and Pakistan.
According to the UN, access to essential services for returning women has sharply declined since 2021. Twenty-one per cent of returnees reported difficulties accessing water, 22 per cent struggled to obtain public health services and 28 per cent faced barriers to legal assistance.
The UN Refugee Agency added that returning women also experience heightened isolation and psychological distress, further deepening their vulnerability.
