The agency is working in a region that it describes as the world’s most serious women’s rights crisis, where women are almost four times less likely Men are less likely to access formal justice, yet programs are active and reaching hundreds of thousands of people in need.
“Despite the restrictions and current controversies on women and girls…no matter what, un women living and delivering In Afghanistan,” said Susan Ferguson.
In 2025 alone, UN Women helped ensure access to life-saving services for more than 350,000 women and girls and supported nearly 200 women-led civil society organizations.
However, operations are facing major hurdles. In a country where services for women must be provided by women, the agency is calling for the ban on Afghan female UN staff and contractors to enter UN premises be lifted.
“We continue to find ways to work together and stand with those who need support most,” Ms Ferguson said.
oppression is intensifying
Ms Ferguson stressed the impact of decree number 12 Issued by the Taliban earlier this year, it formally removes equality between men and women before the law and authorizes violence against women by allowing husbands to inflict punishment, including physical violence in the home.
UN Women’s country representative said, “We call on the de facto authorities to ensure that laws and policies protect the rights of women and girls in line with Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations.”
Ms Ferguson warned the international community against “generalising”.
“When we begin to accept this as normal, we stop believing that it can change…Change is still possible, but only if the world stands with Afghan women“
huge loss of conflict
In the wake of an air strike in Kabul on Monday night that reportedly killed hundreds, Ms Ferguson said there had been 289 verified civilian deaths or injuries before that strike during hostilities with Pakistan, many of them women and children “who are paying a heavy price for the ongoing violence.”
At least 64,000 people have been affected by the military standoff with PakistanMore than half of them women and girls.
Amidst the ongoing hostilities with Pakistan and conflict in the Middle East, “for many women, This is the second or third time in the last year that they have been forced to flee.“
She hopes “A.” There will be a sharp increase in the number of Afghans returning from Iran in the coming weeks, including women traveling alone or with children“
More than 10 million women and girls are already expected to need humanitarian assistance this year following the deepening economic crisis and disruption caused by the August 2025 earthquake, “and rising costs associated with conflict in the region will make it even more difficult for families to survive.”
need immediate shelter
Initial assessments by the UN and partners show that women’s most pressing needs are shelter, health care and clean water.
UN Women is also mobilizing resources to extend cash assistance to female-headed households, provide welfare kits and help them start small businesses.
Despite these initiatives, UN Women faces 50 percent funding gap for their work In Afghanistan in 2026, UN operations there will face an overall shortfall of $500 million.
Calling on the international community, Ms. Ferguson said, “We urgently need more funding to meet these needs at this critical moment… If current hostilities continue, needs will only increase“
The women are treated at the National Cancer Hospital in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
