Gender equality

This gathering reinforces that women’s empowerment is not just a rights issue but a development imperative aligned with Islamic principles and modern needs.

Experts advocate treating care as essential social infrastructure. Expanding services, redistributing unpaid work through policy, and challenging norms that sideline educated women could unlock significant gains.

Humanitarian actors warn that without addressing root issues – including rights restrictions and economic isolation – Afghanistan risks losing another generation.

In a sobering assessment released this week, the United Nations has painted a complex portrait of Afghanistan under Taliban governance, where a dramatic increase in security incidents coincides with fragile stability, devastating cross-border violence with Pakistan, and a deepening humanitarian and human rights crisis.

The international community’s response – through statements, potential aid conditions, or sanctions – will be critical in determining whether such crackdowns face meaningful consequences.

Experts suggest the Eid address serves multiple purposes: rallying domestic support, discouraging dissent, and messaging the international community ahead of potential future talks. With Akhundzada rarely appearing publicly and operating primarily from Kandahar, his sermons remain key vehicles for policy direction.

The coming weeks will likely see intensified advocacy campaigns, potential UN discussions, and continued reporting from independent Afghan media outlets operating in exile.

This uptick from 5.1 per cent in March and 4.9 per cent in February underscores emerging pressures in the labour market, particularly in rural regions where job opportunities remain scarce.