ICRC Expands Support Programs for Women and Girls Across Afghanistan
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced that it has increased its support programs for women and girls throughout Afghanistan. These programs include the provision of healthcare services, cash assistance, vocational training, and economic empowerment.
According to the organization, a recent report titled “Afghanistan: Supporting Women and Girls to Progress Amid Challenges” highlights efforts to improve maternal health, combat malnutrition, and create economic opportunities for vulnerable women, particularly in four provinces of the country.
In collaboration with the Afghan Red Crescent Society, the ICRC has provided six months of cash aid and nutritional training to pregnant and breastfeeding women, benefiting nearly 1,400 individuals across four provinces in 2026.
The organization also supports 47 healthcare centers of the Afghan Red Crescent, which between June 2025 and July 2026 offered over 800,000 outpatient consultations for women. The services included more than 980 childbirths, 111,000 prenatal consultations, and 39,000 postnatal consultations.
Economic empowerment of women is a core focus of the programs. During this period, 437 women and girls with disabilities received vocational training, and 101 of them benefited from interest-free loans. Additionally, more than 33,800 people received physiotherapy services, and over 12,600 individuals gained access to prosthetic and mobility aids.
Other programs include financial support for female-headed households, emergency medical training for female health workers, and awareness campaigns on explosive hazards, which have reached around 260,000 women and girls.
The ICRC states these measures aim to improve access to essential services for women and girls, strengthen their independence, and build a safer future amid the ongoing difficult conditions in Afghanistan.
