Restrictions on their freedoms, employment, education and even movement has meant that Afghan women are bearing much of the brunt of the humanitarian crisis.

According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), over $38M (£28M) in funding is still needed in Afghanistan to provide essential services to women and girls, particularly for sexual and reproductive healthcare.

“Shortages of equipment, supplies and medicine, a lack of fuel and heating facilities, especially now with winter approaching, and uncertain support from partners are just some of the challenges we’re facing,” explained Shahla Oruzgani, head midwife at a maternity hospital in Kabul.

In the report, Oruzgani feared the situation could get far worse should the healthcare system fail completely. In a country where a woman dies every two hours from pregnancy-related complications, Oruzgani said: “The kits are critical at this time, as hospital resources are running out and the support we were receiving has dwindled. We can’t be sure where our next assistance will come from.”

As the 2021 Human Rights Watch report suggests, “Afghans are caught between Taliban oppression and the spectre of starvation.” In November 2021, UNFPA had provided psychosocial support services, such as life-saving as food, water and shelter, especially for people who have experienced extremely distressing events or have been displaced for more than 150,000 Afghans, 60,000 in that month alone.

In December 2021, Al Jazeera reported that around 30 women marched through Kabul in a protest calling for women’s rights to be respected and accusing Taliban authorities of covertly killing soldiers who served the former United States-backed government before being stopped by Taliban forces.

How women and girls are still bearing the brunt of the humanitarian crisis and Taliban control in Afghanistan