UN Reports 10.7 Million Afghan Women and Girls Need Aid

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on July 14 that more than 10.7 million women and girls in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance in 2026. Women and girls bear the heaviest burden of the national crisis, facing systemic restrictions on education, employment, and movement that limit their access to essential services.

Critical strains on the maternal healthcare system include funding reductions and a shortage of female health workers, which increase the risk of maternal and newborn deaths. Humanitarian partners report a decline in available services provided by female professionals, while economic difficulties and food insecurity further worsen the situation.

Restrictions on girls' education threaten the long-term availability of medical professionals in the country. UNICEF estimates that Afghanistan could lose over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 due to these restrictions and a reduction in international aid.