What You Need to Know
• More than half of the 74 women’s organisations in Afghanistan may cease operations due to funding issues.
• The United Nations’ $1.7 billion humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan is only 25 percent funded as of now.
• Since the Taliban’s return to power, over 100 decrees have restricted women’s rights in Afghanistan.
Five years after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s special representative in Afghanistan, warned that more than half of the women’s organisations still operating could shut down within the next year due to funding shortages. Ferguson urged donor countries not to reduce funding for women’s programs, emphasizing that such cuts would exacerbate the hardships faced by Afghan women. A recent survey indicated that nearly three-quarters of these organisations had experienced funding cuts in 2025, with about two-thirds reporting they had six months or less of operational funding remaining. This warning coincides with the Taliban’s commemoration of five years since the withdrawal of U.S. forces, during which the group has imposed numerous restrictions on women’s rights and freedoms.
Why It Matters
The situation in Afghanistan is critical as the Taliban continues to enforce severe restrictions on women’s rights, impacting their education, employment, and daily lives. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, over 100 decrees have limited women’s freedoms, leading to widespread mental health issues among Afghan women. The lack of funding for women’s organisations directly threatens the support systems that many women rely on for basic needs and rights advocacy. The UN’s humanitarian appeal highlights the urgent need for international assistance to address these challenges and support the Afghan population.
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