UN Raises Alarm Over Plight of Women in Afghanistan’s Earthquake-Hit Areas
The United Nations has warned that women and girls in eastern Afghanistan’s earthquake-stricken regions face severe risks, including gender-based violence, exploitation, and lack of access to healthcare. Susan Ferguson, the UN’s Special Representative for Women in Afghanistan, voiced these concerns at a press conference titled “Urgent Aid for Afghan Women.”
According to Ferguson, women and girls account for more than half of the earthquake’s victims, while 60 percent of those still missing are also female. She described the situation as alarming, underscoring the deteriorating conditions for women in these areas.
Having recently visited Kunar Province, Ferguson reported that essential infrastructure has been destroyed and women lack access to proper sanitary facilities. She noted that the absence of basic services forces many women to travel long distances, increasing their exposure to violence and the threat of landmines.
The UN representative also highlighted that domestic violence often rises after natural disasters, driven by homelessness, job losses, and heightened psychological stress. Families headed by women are among the most vulnerable; the UN has identified at least 463 such households in the affected regions.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are particularly at risk and require urgent medical attention. “All women and girls deserve access to adequate healthcare,” Ferguson stressed.
However, the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s mobility, employment in NGOs, and access to education have created major obstacles for humanitarian and healthcare delivery. The lack of female health workers across the country has further compounded the crisis.
A new UN Women report released this week confirms that many women continue to face barriers in accessing aid and essential services. Ferguson warned that without female humanitarian staff, effective support for survivors will be impossible.
