UN Warns Afghan Women's Organizations Face Mass Closure

The United Nations warned on August 15, 2026, that more than half of the women-led organizations operating in Afghanistan could shut down or suspend activities within a year. Susan Ferguson, the UN Special Representative for Women in Afghanistan, reported that an April assessment of 74 organizations revealed nearly three-quarters experienced funding cuts in 2025, with two-thirds possessing resources for six months or less. This crisis coincides with a significant shortfall in the UN's $1.7 billion humanitarian appeal for the country, which is only 25% funded.

Ferguson noted that these organizations serve as critical lifelines while the Taliban-led government imposes over 100 decrees restricting women's education, employment, and movement. A UN Women survey of 3,200 women found that 70% report poor mental health and over 50% leave their homes only once or twice a month.

In response to the crisis, a group of 56 countries, including the United States, Britain, and Japan, issued a joint statement calling on the Taliban to reverse these restrictions, which they described as a "defining feature of the current system." The Taliban maintain that their policies align with Afghan culture and their interpretation of Islamic law. The joint statement highlighted international divisions, as Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan declined to sign.