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Afghans overwhelmingly support girls’ education despite ongoing ban: UN Women
Despite the Islamic Emirate’s continuing ban on secondary education for girls, the vast majority of Afghans across all demographics believe girls should have the right to learn, according to a new report by UN Women.
The latest Gender Alert, released this week, draws on a nationwide door-to-door survey of over 2,000 people and reveals that 92 percent of respondents consider girls’ education important. Support was consistent across urban and rural areas. In cities, 95 percent of both men and women expressed support, while in rural areas, 95 percent of women and 87 percent of men did the same.
“This is almost always the first thing girls tell us – they are desperate to learn and just want the chance to gain an education,” said Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s Special Representative in Afghanistan. “Families also say they want their daughters to have that dream. They know that literacy and learning can change the trajectory of a girl’s life, in a country where half the population is living in poverty.”
The report also highlights the broader social and economic impact of increasing restrictions on women’s rights since the Islamic Emirate regained control in 2021. In areas where the ban on women working with NGOs is being enforced, a separate UN Women survey from July and August 2025 found that 97 percent of women said the restrictions have negatively affected their daily lives. Over half of NGOs operating in Afghanistan now report being unable to effectively reach women and girls with essential services.
Based on the report, 40 percent of Afghan women surveyed said they still envision a future where change and gender equality are possible. However, nearly three-quarters of women rated their mental health as “bad” or “very bad.”
Women also reported significant lack of agency in decision-making. Seventy-five percent said they have no influence in their communities, half felt excluded from decisions in their extended families, and one in four said they had no influence even within their own households.
The Islamic Emirate has previously said that the issue of girls’ education is an internal issue in Afghanistan and efforts are being made to resolve it.
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Afghanistan and Uzbekistan agree to expand cooperation in livestock and breeding sector
The two sides agreed to organize advanced training courses and practical workshops, allowing Afghan specialists to receive free training in cattle breeding and artificial insemination.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in livestock farming, animal breeding and agricultural development, including plans to provide specialized training for Afghan experts.
According to Uzbekistan’s state news agency, UzA, an Afghan delegation led by Sadr Azam Usmani, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, visited Uzbekistan’s Livestock and Pasture Development Agency to explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the sector.
During the meeting, officials from both sides discussed Uzbekistan’s experience in livestock farming, modern breeding technologies, cattle trade and professional training for agricultural specialists.
The Uzbek side also proposed issuing transit permits for breeding cattle imported from Iran through Afghanistan, creating a potential new opportunity for regional livestock trade.
The two sides agreed to organize advanced training courses and practical workshops, allowing Afghan specialists to receive free training in cattle breeding and artificial insemination.
Other issues discussed included supplying Afghanistan with improved breeding cattle and high-genetic-potential seeds, expanding livestock-related import and export activities, and exchanging technical expertise.
The discussions aim to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two neighbouring countries and support the development of Afghanistan’s livestock sector through technology transfer, professional training and joint initiatives.
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Putin says CSTO closely monitoring Afghanistan’s security situation
Earlier, the CSTO Secretary-General identified efforts to counter cross-border threats and a programme to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border as major priorities for regional security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are closely monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan amid broader efforts to strengthen security along the alliance’s external borders.
Putin made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council at the Kremlin, which he chaired. According to Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news agency, he said developments in Afghanistan remain among the key issues receiving attention from member states.
Earlier, the CSTO Secretary-General identified efforts to counter cross-border threats and a programme to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border as major priorities for regional security.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk is scheduled to arrive in Kabul on Thursday, November 12, leading a high-level economic delegation.
Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, head of the Information and Public Relations Department of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the visit aims to strengthen economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, explore investment opportunities and discuss potential joint economic projects.
The delegation is also expected to include Russian investors and business representatives.
The developments highlight the growing attention being given to both economic cooperation and regional security in Afghanistan’s relations with Russia and other neighbouring states.
Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Emirate, says that Afghanistan currently has a unified central government, and that no groups engaging in destructive activities are present in the country. He added that they will not allow anyone to undermine the country’s security.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, Mujahid made these remarks at a graduation ceremony for commandos of the Special Forces Division. The ceremony was attended by Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Minister of Interior; several cabinet ministers; foreign ambassadors and military attachés; special representatives; and a number of officials and military personnel.
Addressing the commandos, Yaqoob Mujahid said: “In the service you perform, make the pleasure of Almighty Allah your sole intention, because Almighty Allah will reward you for such an intention in this world and the hereafter. There is now a unified central government in the country, and no groups engaging in destructive activities are present. We will also not allow anyone to undermine security.”
He also added: “I assure our people that these forces will defend the lives, property, and territory of their beloved country with full courage and wisdom. I tell all foreign countries that Afghanistan is now secure, and there is no enemy in this country, whether from within or outside, that poses a threat to others.”
At the ceremony, Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani also said: “For half a century, Afghanistan did not have an independent army. However, now, it has an organized army and other security forces. You are not a ceremonial army, nor do you operate to serve the interests of others; rather, you are an organized and independent army. Although we may be materially weak, we are stronger than others in terms of morale and spirituality. We must maintain high morale, avoid acting emotionally in military affairs, and respond to the enemy at the appropriate time. We are not a threat to anyone; rather, we are defenders of our own land.”
It is worth noting that 1,000 young commandos of the Special Forces Division of the Ministry of Defense graduated from the eighth training course after completing six months of professional, ideological, and commando training.
During the ceremony, the graduating commandos, in cooperation with the Air Force, demonstrated coordinated practical and military exercises using various types of unmanned aircraft.
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