The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and UN Women say Afghan women are facing an unprecedented range of violence, including the erosion of fundamental rights and increasing physical and psychological harm.
In a joint statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the agencies said that in less than two years, the number of girls and women at high risk of violence has risen by 40 percent, with 14.2 million women now in need of protection and assistance.
Since returning to power, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women and girls. Women are currently barred from most education and employment, and denied many basic rights.
According to the UN statement, “Their situation stands as one of the starkest reminders of how violence can take many forms and how quickly hard-won protections can disappear. Urgent global support is needed as rising risks of gender-based violence coincide with shrinking services and deepening aid cuts.”
The UN urged immediate and increased global support, warning that gender-based violence is rising even as International aid declines.
Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA’s acting head and Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said: “For Afghan women, violence is not only what is seen or heard, but also the silencing of their voices, the doors closed on their futures, and their rights taken away.”
Gagnon called on the Taliban to lift restrictions on women and girls, and urged the international community to keep all channels of vital support open.
UNAMA noted that severe funding cuts have forced the UN and partner organisations to reduce or suspend life-saving services and women’s economic empowerment programs.
According to the statement, women-led organisations in Afghanistan have lost nearly one-fifth of their funding this year.
Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s Special Representative in Afghanistan, warned that shrinking financial support – combined with unprecedented restrictions and intensified scrutiny – is severely limiting the ability of women-led groups to reach those most in need.
The UN called for renewed global solidarity with Afghan women and girls, emphasising the need for increased, flexible funding to prevent gender-based violence and support women-led organisations.
