The Saudi Embassy in Kabul has announced that it has resumed its operations after nearly a year-long hiatus.

The embassy made the announcement on Sunday, December 22, stating that “the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kabul has resumed its activities as of December 22.”

The Saudi Embassy in Kabul had suspended its activities in February of the previous year, citing security concerns.

In its statement marking the reopening of the embassy, Saudi Arabia mentioned that the embassy’s reopening is in line with the Kingdom’s desire “to provide all services to the brotherly people of Afghanistan.”

It is important to note that in August 2021, following the collapse of the previous Afghanistan government, Saudi Arabia evacuated its diplomats from Kabul. However, by November of the same year, it returned with limited diplomatic staff to provide consular services.

Over the past three years, Saudi Arabia’s activities in Afghanistan have been minimal, mainly focusing on humanitarian aid and addressing immediate humanitarian needs.

The Taliban regime has repeatedly urged regional and international countries to reopen their diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.

Currently, the embassies of several countries, including Russia, China, and Iran, are active in Kabul, while Western countries are conducting their diplomatic activities from outside Afghanistan.

While no country has yet officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, several regional countries continue to normalize their relations with the Taliban government.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced its support for over 80,000 small businesses led by women in Afghanistan, contributing significantly to the growth of local families.

In a video message shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, December 22, Stephen Rodrigues, head of the UNDP office in Afghanistan, stated that their initiatives had not only supported these businesses but also provided employment opportunities for 900,000 people across the country. Additionally, he highlighted that 4.5 million people had benefited from these programs.

Rodrigues emphasized that UNDP’s efforts to empower women entrepreneurs have been crucial, especially after the restrictions placed on women and girls’ education following the events of August 2021. As a result, many women and girls have turned to small businesses to support themselves and their families.

Despite the challenges and restrictions placed on them, female entrepreneurs continue to thrive. The recent handicrafts and production exhibition in Kabul, where many women had a prominent presence, is a testament to their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.

There has been a noticeable increase in interest among Afghan women, especially young girls, in business activities. Many are starting small and medium enterprises, seeing entrepreneurship as a viable path to financial independence and social contribution.

Meanwhile, the recent survey showed that women in Afghanistan are still facing severe discrimination and violations of their human rights, including profound discrimination, operational limitations, and a severely weak financial system, which has significantly limited women’s access to loans from banks. According to the report, out of 41% of more than 3,000 women who were interviewed, only 5% stated that they had received loans from banks or small financial institutions.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reported that 73% of these women are unable to travel to local markets without a male guardian (mahram).

The report further states: “When asked about the limitations of running a business as a woman, 32% of women-led small and medium enterprises believed that gender discrimination created barriers to accessing markets for their businesses, 28% cited difficulties in procuring supplies, and 19% referred to challenges in securing formal loans.”

This data highlights the many barriers women in Afghanistan face in both personal and professional spheres. These restrictions not only hinder women’s economic independence but also contribute to their ongoing marginalization in society.

Addressing these issues requires significant reforms, particularly in the financial system and legal framework, to enable women to fully participate in the economy and regain their rights to equal opportunities.

International support and advocacy for women’s rights in Afghanistan remain critical, as they can help amplify the voices of Afghan women and work towards policy changes that can empower them to overcome these limitations.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center reported that the employees of Arezo TV, who had been detained, were released after two weeks upon providing “guarantees.”

In a statement released on Sunday, December 22, the center announced the release of Amanullah Azimi, Khalid Barkazi, Amir Hossein Attryan, Zahir Faizi, Samir Ahmad Baik, Haroon Irfan, and Bektash Rofi, employees of Arezo TV, from the custody of Taliban.

It is worth noting that intelligence and the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice agents had sealed the Arezo TV office in Kabul two weeks ago and taken several of its employees into custody.

Seven of these employees were released after two weeks upon providing “guarantees,” but the TV station in Kabul has not yet been allowed to resume its activities. The trial for these employees is scheduled to take place in a week.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center welcomed the release of the Arezo TV employees and urged the authorities to close the case and allow Arezo TV to resume its operations unconditionally.

Arezo TV was established in 2006 in Mazar-e-Sharif, and its office in Kabul began operations in 2009. The TV station is considered one of the prominent media outlets in the fields of reporting, documentary production, series, and film dubbing.

The detention and subsequent release of Arezo TV employees highlight ongoing challenges faced by media outlets under the current political climate in Afghanistan. While the release is a positive development, the restriction on the station’s ability to operate freely raises concerns about media freedom in the country.

The call by the Afghanistan Journalists Center for the closure of the case and the unconditional reopening of Arezo TV reflects broader anxieties about press freedom in Afghanistan, with many hoping for a more transparent and supportive environment for journalists in the future. The situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for media independence in the region.

G7 Special Representatives have expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s recent decision to ban women and girls from attending health institutes in Afghanistan.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, December 20, they stated that this ban would have devastating consequences for all Afghans, especially mothers and newborns, further destabilizing an already fragile healthcare system.

The representatives noted that this decision is part of a pattern of over 80 “repressive” and “discriminatory” policies enacted by the Taliban under the pretext of religious enforcement, aimed at excluding women and girls from education, the economy, and public life.

They called for the immediate reversal of these unacceptable actions and policies by the Taliban.

The statement also emphasized that Afghanistan’s long-term stability requires a credible and inclusive national dialogue leading to the establishment of a constitutional system with a comprehensive and inclusive political structure.

Additionally, the representatives expressed concern over the recent attack on the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation and the ongoing threats of terrorism, which jeopardize Afghanistan’s security and stability. While acknowledging the Taliban’s actions against ISIS-Khorasan, they urged the Taliban to address these threats in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593.

They further highlighted that several terrorist groups continue to operate safely within Afghanistan, planning and executing domestic and cross-border attacks.

The Taliban’s recent decision to close health institutes to girls has sparked widespread domestic and international criticism.

The Taliban’s ban on women in health education and their broader policies of exclusion risk pushing Afghanistan further into isolation and hardship. These actions not only harm Afghan society but also pose a significant challenge to regional and global stability.

The international community must maintain pressure on the Taliban to uphold basic human rights and ensure that women and girls have equal access to education, healthcare, and economic participation. Sustainable peace and development in Afghanistan depend on reversing these oppressive policies and fostering inclusivity.