As the world turns its attention to ending violence against women, Afghan women remain among the most at risk.
As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has issued a warning: 40% of Afghan women are now at heightened risk of violence, and 14.2 million women require protection and assistance.
Afghan women today face an unprecedented spectrum of violence. Since returning to power, the Taliban have barred women from education, mobility, freedom of speech, and the right to be seen or heard, restrictions that translate into daily physical, psychological, and economic harm. This year’s global campaign theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” highlights how vital digital connectivity has become for Afghan women seeking safety and how vulnerable those without internet or mobile access remain. The recent 48-hour internet blackout demonstrated just how critical digital access is for women’s protection, dignity, and economic survival.
For Afghanistan, the national theme for the next 16 days is “Still Together: Stand With the Afghan Women,” emphasizing the resilience, collective commitment, and enduring strength of Afghan women and girls.
UNAMA’s Acting Head, Georgette Gagnon, noted that violence against Afghan women is not only what is seen or heard, it is also “the silencing of their voices, the doors closed on their futures, and their rights taken away.”
UN Women’s Special Representative in Afghanistan, Susan Ferguson, warned that shrinking funds, unprecedented restrictions, and heightened surveillance are crippling women-led organizations. This year alone, these organizations have lost one-fifth of their budgets, limiting their ability to respond.
Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, UNAMA urges the international community to show renewed solidarity with Afghan women through flexible funding for women-led organizations, stronger efforts to prevent gender-based violence, and recognition of digital access as a critical protection tool. Investing in safe and secure digital spaces for women and girls is no longer optional; it is essential.
Source: UNAMA
