Category: Afghanistan

Over the past two years, Afghanistan has witnessed a significant gender gap emerging after the rise of the Taliban to power…reports Asian Lite News

The United Nations held a session to recognize the “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule, for the first time as part of their efforts to support human rights, Khaama Press reported.

Representatives from different countries attended the session, and the speakers referred to the current situation in Afghanistan, after the return of the Taliban, as an example of “gender apartheid” and called for practical actions to end this situation.

This session took place on Friday. It featured speeches by Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan; Rina Amiri, the US Special Representative for Afghan Women’s Rights; Adela Raz, former Afghan representative to the UN; Melanie Weaver, the US Deputy Representative for Global Affairs, and several other country representatives, on the sidelines of the 88th UN General Assembly.

"#Education is an enabling right, which is crucial in and of itself & for realising other #HumanRights. Denying this right to ½ the population effectively denies women/girls most other human rights." ~@SR_Afghanistan#ECW's #AfghanGirlsVoices campaign👇 https://t.co/i2FH5hnhcB pic.twitter.com/KZjKA2Wu55

— Education Cannot Wait (@EduCannotWait) September 18, 2023

Richard Bennett remarked that the global community has betrayed the women in Afghanistan, adding that the current situation in Afghanistan can only be remedied through practical actions, not condemnations and expressions of sympathy.

It should be noted that the activism of women’s rights advocates, which began with the resurgence of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan to recognize gender apartheid officially, is ongoing and has recently been accompanied by hunger strikes by some girls in European countries and Pakistan, Khaama Press reported.

Hunger strikes by Tamana Zaryab Paryany, and her supporters in Cologne, Germany, the silent hunger strike of Mina Rafiq in Norway, the hunger strike of Mohra Fabi in Sweden, and a collective hunger strike by women’s rights activists in Islamabad, Pakistan, have recently joined the campaign of women’s rights activists. Their common demand from the global community is to recognize “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan.

These protests have led to a meeting hosted by the Un, and the discussion of gender apartheid in Afghanistan has been scrutinized. Richard Bennett, alongside assessing the situation of women in Afghanistan, also called for preparing a report to address technical questions that may arise in the UN Security Council regarding gender apartheid in Afghanistan, according to Khaama Press.

Over the past two years, Afghanistan has witnessed a significant gender gap emerging after the rise of the Taliban to power, resulting in an unprecedented disparity in access to resources, opportunities, and social, economic, and political rights.

Recently, a group of women known as the “Window of Hope Women’s Movement of Afghanistan” has also called for the recognition of “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan. They emphasized that the United Nations and human rights organizations breaking their silence and taking action to combat gender apartheid in Afghanistan are crucial, Khaama Press reported.

Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council’s report on the situation of women in Afghanistan has confirmed the existence of “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan and has described “sexual abuse and harassment” as continuing to lead to “sexual abuse and harassment,” which is a crime against humanity, and its occurrence in Afghanistan obliges international criminal courts to intervene.

Notably, with the resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 in Afghanistan, the country’s educational system has suffered a significant setback. As a result, girls have been deprived of access to education, and seminaries or religious schools have gradually filled the void left by schools and universities.

Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.

A startling 80 per cent of Afghan girls and young women, who are of school-going age, are currently denied access to education under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a new report by Care International stated, according to Khaama Press.

It has been more than two years since girls above grade six have been prohibited from attending schools in Afghanistan, and it is unclear when those doors will reopen, Tolo News reported.

Afghanistan remains the only country to ban girls’ and women’s education, resulting in a substantial economic toll of approximately USD 5.4 billion. (ANI)

ALSO READ: 120 Killed in Afghanistan Due To Mine Blasts in 2022

Nooruddin Rustamkhil, the head of coordination and Mine clearance, said that most of the victims of these incidents are children in the country….reports Asian Lite News

A recent study by the Head of Coordination and Mine Clearance in Afghanistan revealed that 120 people lost their lives and another 250 individuals have injuries due to mine explosions and unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan, The Khaama Press reported on Monday.

The Khaama Press reported that Afghanistan needs an urgent action plan to mitigate the devastating impact of these lethal hazards.

Nooruddin Rustamkhil, the head of coordination and Mine clearance, said that most of the victims of these incidents are children in the country.

He added, “From the beginning of 2023 until now, we have had 207 incidents in Afghanistan, resulting in 372 casualties. Among these, 122 were killed, 250 were wounded, and 224 were children.”

Moreover, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed concern over the rising casualties among children due to unexploded ordnance explosions in Afghanistan and emphasized that in 2022, more than a hundred children died or were disabled due to these incidents.

Despite ongoing efforts, Afghanistan remains plagued by many casualties, including innocent children, due to unexploded mine explosions. The persistence of this danger underscores the need for sustained international support and resources to address this critical humanitarian issue.

The threat of unexploded mines still lingers in some regions of the country as a grim reminder of past wars and the lack of awareness surrounding these deadly remnants.

To safeguard the lives of Afghan citizens, concerted action is imperative to clear these hazards and raise awareness about their dangers.

Fire breaks out in Badakhshan

A fire at Faizabad in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan caused financial damages to over one million Afghans, Khaama Press reported citing provincial officials.

The Security Department of Badakhshan province on Sunday said the fire broke out in the Akhur Goldan area of Faizabad city.

Reportedly, the fire erupted in two adjacent decoration shops in the city, according to Khaama Press.

According to officials, the fire spread to the neighbouring shops eventually resulting in financial losses of over a million.

While the fire reduced all the goods in the two shops to ashes, no casualties were reported in the incident.

The firefighting team arrived at the spot after receiving word of the blaze and put out the fire, Khaama Press reported. 

However, the cause of the fire is yet to be known, the report stated, adding that an investigation is underway.

In a similar incident earlier, a fire broke out in the Mal Bazar area of Kandahar city, resulting in financial losses for almost three million Afghans. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Afghan Women Find Hope in Online University Amid Taliban Rule

This came at a time when two years have passed since the Taliban ban on education rights of Afghan girls….reports Asian Lite News

Amnesty International has called on Taliban  to take immediate steps to reopen secondary schools for girls in Afghanistan, according to TOLOnews.

Amnesty International noted that the future and hopes of thousands of Afghan girls are at stake, adding that the prohibition on girls’ admission to secondary education in Afghanistan has been in place for two years.

This came at a time when two years have passed since the Taliban ban on education rights of Afghan girls. Notably, it was on September 18 2021 when the de-facto authorities had banned girls from attending secondary and high schools in Afghanistan, reported TOLOnews.

According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, September 18 commemorates two years since females were prohibited from entering high school in Afghanistan.

Guterres went on to say that this is an unjustified violation of human rights that would have long-term consequences for the whole country. Girls, according to the UN Secretary-General, belong in school.”Let them back in,” urged Guterres, according to TOLOnews.

Afghanistan, a country heavily reliant on aid, lost Western donor support with the Taliban’s return to power following the US and NATO pullout in August 2021.

The Afghan economy swiftly collapsed, forcing self-sufficient Afghans to seek humanitarian aid to survive. Because of widespread human rights violations, the Taliban’s regime has been under international isolation.

Notably, with the resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 in Afghanistan, the country’s educational system has suffered a significant setback. As a result, girls have been deprived of access to education, and seminaries or religious schools have gradually filled the void left by schools and universities.

Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.

Worst educational conditions

Highlighting the damage that has been done to the education system since the return of Taliban in Afghanistan, Maleiha Malik, Executive Director of Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC) said that the country is on the list with the worst educational situation, Tolo News reported on Friday.

Malik noted that education in Afghanistan has been damaged by the “state actors and armed non-state actors”, adding that new barriers to education in Afghanistan are still challenging.

“There are some persistent countries that come in that list, Afghanistan was on that list persistently. And in Afghanistan attacks on education from all sides not only state actors but also armed non-state actors were prevalent,” Tolo News quoted Malik as saying.

She added, “And I think what happened particularly with the media is that the armed non-state actors became more prominent, and it was hard sometimes to see that state parties were also causing massive destruction. The new barriers to education in Afghanistan are still challenging”.

Responding to this, Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the Islamic Emirate is “committed” to ensuring Afghan girls have the right to an education. He, however, declined to comment further on the education of females in Afghanistan.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan did not say that we will not stop education, but it has been suspended for a while and the work is going on with it,” Tolo News quoted him as saying.

However, despite the unsubstantiated and tall claims of the Taliban, a startling 80 per cent of Afghan girls and young women who are of school age are currently denied access to education under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a new report by Care International stated, according to Khaama Press.

It has been more than two years since girls above grade six have been prohibited from attending school in Afghanistan, and it is unclear when those doors will reopen, Tolo News reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Afghan Women Find Hope in Online University Amid Taliban Rule

The university offers a wide variety of courses through 14 faculties, all of which are totally free….reports Asian Lite News

Through the Women’s Online University, a remarkable 14,000 Afghan women are pursuing their aspirations of empowerment and education, at a time when the Taliban has put strict restrictions on Afghan women, reported Khaama Press.

This college offers a wide variety of courses through 14 faculties, all of which are totally free.

The varsity stands as a ray of hope in a country with many social problems, illuminating the way to a better future for Afghan women. The Women’s Online University guarantees that these Afghan women obtain a top-notch education.

“In 14 faculties, we have approximately 14,000 students from all corners of Afghanistan, including remote provinces. Despite persistent economic challenges, which include internet access issues, girls continue to enrol with us, determined not to miss out on the enriching academic environment,” shared Adila Zamani, a dedicated professor at Woman Online University, according to Khaama Press.

“We firmly hold that girls’ education is essential for societal advancement and, as such, it should remain uninterrupted,” she underlined.

The students at this university have repeatedly called on the Taliban to lift restrictions on education for Afghan girls.

Afghanistan, a country heavily reliant on aid, lost Western donor support with the Taliban’s return to power following the US and NATO pullout in August 2021. The Afghan economy swiftly collapsed, forcing self-sufficient Afghans to seek humanitarian aid to survive.

Because of widespread human rights violations, the Taliban’s regime has been under international isolation.

Notably, with the resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 in Afghanistan, the country’s educational system has suffered a significant setback. As a result, girls have been deprived of access to education, and seminaries or religious schools have gradually filled the void left by schools and universities.

Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Political upheaval worsened female illiteracy in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Ministry Forecasts 23,000+ Tons of Saffron Harvest…reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan’s export of saffron has decreased this year compared to the previous years, according to businessmen in the country, TOLO News reported.

As per the businessmen, the challenges of issuing visas and banking restrictions are factors that have had a negative effect on the country’s saffron exports.

A trader, Mohammad Nazir, said: “Afghanistan’s Herat saffron has good quality. The export of the plant is carried out all over the world, especially in Asian and European countries, but the reason for the decrease in saffron exports compared to previous years is the restrictions on issuing visas and the banking system, but there are still exports.”

“Saffron is a very good source of income for our country. Especially for the farmers of the west region, saffron is cultivated in all provinces of Afghanistan, said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of ACCI, as per TOLO News.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock estimates that more than 23,000 tons of saffron will be collected from the fields of various provinces in the current solar year.

“Last year we harvested 23,000 tons of saffron and this year we hope that this amount will increase,” said Musbahuddin Mustaeen, a spokesman for the ministry.

Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that in the first three months of the solar year, more than seven million US dollars’ worth of saffron was exported to various countries of the world.

During the first quarter of this year, an amount of 9, 122 kg of saffron has been exported, the value of which is USD 7.1 million, and compared to the first quarter of last year, it increased by 12 per cent,” said Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, a spokesman for the Taliban appointed Ministry the Industry and Commerce.

Based on the information of saffron exporters, one kilo of saffron is bought and sold for nearly one thousand US dollars in world markets, as per TOLO News. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Political upheaval worsened female illiteracy in Afghanistan

She stressed that the primary reasons for the deprivation of education for women over the past two decades are security concerns, economic problems and traditional cultural values in Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, especially that of women and young mothers, women’s rights activists have said the recent political upheaval and repressive policies of the Taliban have not only set the country back by decades but also adversely affected the female literacy rate, Khaama Press reported. 

Maryam Maroof Arvin, the head of the Saffron Sunday movement and a human rights activist, emphasised the importance of primary education for women.

She said providing primary education for women is crucial as it significantly impacts their progress and decision-making, Khaama reported.

In traditional Afghan society, Maryam said, women’s education is not a priority in many regions, according to Khaama Press.

She stressed that the primary reasons for the deprivation of education for women over the past two decades are security concerns, economic problems and traditional cultural values in Afghanistan.

Noting that the political factors significantly influence women’s status, she underlined the need for fundamental changes to eradicate women’s illiteracy and bring a comprehensive change in mindset and governance in the country.

Samia Haqju, another women’s rights activist, said education brings a positive change to an individual’s thinking as well as behaviour. Most importantly, she added, women become aware of their rights through education along with active participation in society, Khaama Press reported.

Claiming that the literacy rate among women in Afghanistan is meagre, she said many women in remote areas of the country have had limited access to education in the past two decades.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in a recently published report, stated that women in Afghanistan are at the lowest literacy level in the world, with only 29.8 per cent able to read and write.

Zarmina, a 50-year-old resident of a village near Kabul, said she could not pursue education owing to the wars, migration and other difficulties. She underlined the importance of literacy in life, saying that education was key to women breaking new ground across the world, Khaama reported.

Banning women’s and girls’ education in the country leads to a setback in women’s education, she added.

Aisha, a 38-year-old woman, lamented how the Taliban took away women’s education.

“I was just beginning to study in a literacy course when the Islamic Emirate came to power, and, once again, education was taken away from us. I felt hopeless,” she said.

She said the state of women in Afghanistan has never been good, adding that one of her aspirations is for her sons to get a proper education for a bright future, according to Khaama Press.

Aisha, another resident, said, “I want no woman in Afghanistan to remain illiterate. I hope other women don’t get to experience what I did.”

Earlier, on Friday, Maleiha Malik, executive director of Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), said Afghanistan features prominently among countries facing the worst educational situation, Tolo News reported.

Malik noted that education in Afghanistan has been damaged by the “state actors and armed non-state actors”, adding that new barriers to education in Afghanistan are still challenging.

Despite the unsubstantiated and tall claims of the Taliban, a startling 80 per cent of Afghan girls and young women, who are of school-going age, are currently denied access to education under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a new report by Care International stated, according to Khaama Press.

It has been more than two years since girls above grade six have been prohibited from attending schools in Afghanistan, and it is unclear when those doors will reopen, Tolo News reported.

Afghanistan remains the only country to ban girls’ and women’s education, resulting in a substantial economic toll of approximately USD 5.4 billion. (ANI)

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Afghan officials said the new envoy’s arrival is a sign for other nations to come forward and establish relations with the Taliban-led government…reports Asian Lite News

The newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, has presented his credentials to the Taliban-appointed acting PM Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund in Kabul, TOLONews reported.

The Taliban-appointed acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, called the nomination of Zhao Xing “a significant step with a significant message,”

According to the Al Jazeera, Afghan officials said the new envoy’s arrival is a sign for other nations to come forward and establish relations with the Taliban-led government.

“This is the normal rotation of China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, and is intended to continue advancing dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “China’s policy towards Afghanistan is clear and consistent,” as reported by Al Jazeera.

No foreign government has formally acknowledged the Taliban, and Beijing made no mention of Wednesday’s appointment as a possible first step towards such recognition.

The Afghanistan’s seat at the UN is still held by the former Western-backed administration of former President Ashraf Ghani, and certain Taliban commanders are still subject to sanctions.

As the West froze Afghan assets worth billions of dollars and refused to break its financial isolation, the Taliban has struggled to restore the economy and handle a humanitarian crisis.

The Taliban leadership and China, the second-largest economy in the world, have been vocal about their desire for deeper connections, particularly commercial ones. Wang Yu, the last ambassador to Afghanistan, took up the role in 2019 while the administration supported by the West was still in power and completed the tenure last month, according to Al Jazeera.

There are other diplomats in Kabul with the title of ambassador, but they all assumed their posts prior to 2021, when the Taliban took control following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces after 20 years of war.

Since then, only a small number of nations and organisations, like Pakistan and the European Union, have dispatched senior diplomats to head diplomatic missions under the title charge d’affaires, which does not require presenting ambassadorial credentials to the host nation, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)

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According to the WFP, 10 million Afghans have been denied humanitarian aid this year….reports Asian Lite News

Aiming to prevent a winter catastrophe in Afghanistan, UN World Food Program (WFP) Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau will be appealing for funding on an urgent basis during a Brussels meeting, Khaama Press reported on Thursday. 

during a Brussels meeting on Thursday focused on Afghanistan. The aim is to prevent a potential winter catastrophe in the country.

Before the EU Commission-hosted meeting, Skau said, “I’m in Brussels for a senior official meeting on Afghanistan, along with partners and donors, generously hosted by the European Commission.”

The purpose of the meeting is to devise a plan and strategy to support the Afghan population during the upcoming winter, as outlined by Skau. Due to financial constraints in recent months, WFP has been compelled to reduce its vital aid efforts in Afghanistan.

“The operating environment is challenging, but we can deliver in a principled and effective way. So my message to donors today is that we need more assistance and money to assist Afghanistan through the winter, Khaama Press quoted Skau as saying.

He added, “But we also need to work in a new way. We need to work with Nexus. He said that we need to have sustainable solutions and bring in the development actors working with communities”.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) declared that USD 1 billion is needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

According to the WFP, 10 million Afghans have been denied humanitarian aid this year.

Additionally, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also cautioned in its latest report about reducing and ceasing essential health services in Afghanistan due to budget limitations.

The WFP needs USD 1 billion to aid 21 million people, while more than 20 million Afghans face the risk of starvation.

Several humanitarian groups warn of funding cuts and a deepening crisis in Afghanistan as poverty and hunger worsen. Only USD 1 billion of the needed USD 3.23 billion for humanitarian aid has been received, according to Khaama Press.

Afghanistan, heavily dependent on Western donor support, lost this assistance when the Taliban took over after the US and NATO withdrawal in August 2021. This led to a rapid economic collapse, pushing self-sufficient Afghans to rely on humanitarian aid for survival. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India Delivers Wheat, Disaster Aid to Afghanistan

The Foreign Office spokesperson also alleged that the customs duties and taxes are not being paid by the Afghanistan side…reports Asian Lite News

The Pakistan government accused the Taliban-led Afghanistan government of misusing the Pakistan-Afghanistan transit trade agreement, The Express Tribune reported on Thursday.

The Pakistan news daily reported quoting the statement of the Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch that Pakistan had concerns that the transit trade facility was being misused.

“We are concerned that the transit trade agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan is being misused,” the spokesperson said.

“It is important for our customs authorities to ensure that any border trade that takes place complies with the understandings and agreements that exist between Pakistan and Afghanistan and that such commercial activities do not contravene Pakistani laws,” she added.

The Foreign Office spokesperson also alleged that the customs duties and taxes are not being paid by the Afghanistan side. 

“Our major concern is that sometimes the imports that are meant for Afghanistan are diverted back to Pakistan and the customs duties and taxes are not paid as they should be. So, there are certain concerns of our customs authorities that people are misusing the bilateral provisions that allow for trade with Afghanistan,” she explained.

Torkham border, a crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, remained blocked for the eighth day on Thursday, as discussions between the two parties remained stalled, stranding commercial convoys and travellers, according to ARY News.

Hundreds of vehicles carrying crucial products have been trapped on both sides since the Torkham border crossing – one of the two main crossings between the neighbouring nations- was closed down following a dispute.

Traders said that the fruits and vegetables in the trucks were getting spoiled.

Citing sources, ARY News reported that a discussion was held between Pakistani and Afghan authorities regarding the closing of the Torkham border.

However, sources said that talks between the two parties remained stalled.

The latest stalemate arose as Taliban soldiers began erecting a new security station near the Torkham border, which Pakistan regards as a breach of mutual accords, according to ARY News.

On Monday, Pakistan expressed surprise at the Afghan foreign ministry’s statement over the Torkham border shutdown, stating that “interim Afghan authorities are fully aware of the reasons for the temporary closure.

“The Torkham crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed to traffic for the seventh consecutive day.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan border was closed after clashes were triggered by the construction of a new post along the border. The busy Torkham border crossing was closed on Wednesday after Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces started firing at each other, according to local officials.

On September 11, people in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar held protests over the closure of the Torkham crossing. According to the protesters, Pakistan has regularly closed the Torkham border under various pretexts during the fruit and vegetable season.

Protesters urged Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve their political differences through diplomatic channels. (ANI)

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