Gender equality

In the past five years, 88 per cent of countries have passed laws to eliminate violence against women and girls. 44 per cent are working towards improving the quality of education and training. More girls are now attending secondary and tertiary education compared to boys.

A central concern of the report is India's underutilized demographic dividend. Despite having a large working-age population, the country's labor force participation rate stands at a mere 56.4 percent, significantly lower than its peers.

UNAMA’s quarterly report highlighted sections of the ministry’s law, claiming it imposes new restrictions on women. It stated that the law formalises previous decrees and broadens existing limitations while introducing additional ones.

If current trends continue, Oxfam predicts that five trillionaires will emerge within the next decade. In stark contrast, the number of people living in poverty has remained nearly unchanged since 1990.

This high-profile conference deliberately kept low-key till the last minute for “security reasons gathered 150 delegates, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and representatives from 44 Muslim and allied countries, as well as international organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Saudi-funded Muslim World League.

While grassroots activism continues to challenge entrenched norms, the legislative battle against child marriages in Balochistan has been disappointingly sluggish.

The latest decision to block medical education further narrows the already bleak opportunities available to Afghan women, denying them a pathway to meaningful careers and independence.

In addition to food insecurity, Afghanistan faces ongoing challenges related to health care access. Many health facilities have shut down or are operating at...