Afghanistan Protection Analysis Update

In April 2023, following the ban on Afghan women working for international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Taliban de facto authorities (DFA) restricted Afghan women from working for the United Nations (UN), an action which was condemned by the UN Security Council as unprecedented, deeply concerning, and undermining human rights and humanitarian principles. The subsequent restrictions led to hindering female humanitarian aid workers from providing life-saving assistance and basic services to the most vulnerable, reduced funding opportunities and increased bureaucratic impediments.

Restrictions placed on Afghan women and girls thwarts women working for NGOs and UN agencies, prevents girls from attending secondary and tertiary education institutions; prohibits girls and women from visiting parks, baths, and gyms and travel from their villages and towns. These restrictions erode the rights of women, limit their movement, their participation in economic, social and public life thereby inhibiting their personal growth and their contribution to the development of their country. Humanitarian agencies now have to negotiate exemptions and authorizations to resume or continue with their activities.

The following protection risks were identified in Q2 as requiring immediate attention and are therefore covered in this report:

1. Presence of mines and other explosive ordnance.
2. Unlawful restrictions to freedom of movement and forced displacement.
3. Discrimination and stigmatization, denial of resources, opportunities, services, and humanitarian assistance.
4. Impediments or restrictions to access to documentation, remedies, and justice.
5. Psychological distress and emotional abuse.