The World Food Program recently announced a €21 million contribution from the European Union to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund.

This office declared on Friday, March 1, through a press release, that around 300,000 people in Afghanistan are expected to benefit from this amount of money.

However, the primary aim of this assistance, as stated by the European Union, is to improve food security and nutrition in the country.

Rafaela Iodice, the EU official in Afghanistan, mentioned that the European Union will continue its assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

These contributions come at a time when Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, previously stated that the organization has only been able to secure three per cent of the required budget to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. ‘

This is happening simultaneously with recent earthquakes in Afghanistan and the expulsion of migrants from neighboring countries, leading to an increased level of need within the country.

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with millions of people facing extreme poverty, displacement, and food insecurity. Years of conflict, political instability, and now the Taliban’s return to power have exacerbated these challenges.

Many families lack access to necessities such as clean water, sanitation facilities, and healthcare. The ongoing violence and insecurity have also hindered humanitarian aid delivery, further worsening the plight of vulnerable populations.

Additionally, there is a severe shortage of shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees returning to Afghanistan.

Furthermore, the Taliban’s imposition of strict restrictions on women’s rights has had a devastating impact on their access to education and employment opportunities. Women and girls face significant barriers to attending school or pursuing careers, denying them essential pathways to empowerment and economic independence.

The rollback of women’s rights threatens to undermine years of progress in gender equality and jeopardizes the prospects of Afghan women and girls. The international community must prioritize the protection and support of Afghan women’s rights as part of broader humanitarian efforts in the country.

The UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan on Thursday emphasized prioritizing human rights, particularly women’s rights, in engagement with the Taliban.

Richard Bennett painted a grim picture of human rights in Afghanistan, criticizing widespread torture and discrimination against women and minorities.

Presenting his six-month report at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, Bennett labeled the human rights situation in Afghanistan as “dire.”

He stressed the importance of prioritizing the Afghan people and ensuring their inclusion in decision-making processes.

Concerns are raised about countries normalizing relations with the Taliban without significant improvements in Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation.

Regarding women’s rights violations, he urged the world to pursue legal avenues for gender, ethnic, and religious justice in Afghanistan.

Bennett highlighted the Taliban’s systematic suppression and expulsion of women and girls, constituting “crimes against humanity.”

Despite refraining from terming the situation as “gender apartheid,” Bennett condemned the Taliban’s discriminatory actions against Afghan women.

Bennett underscored the Taliban’s “systematic discrimination” against Afghan women and girls in their quest for complete control.

The UN special rapporteur called for accountability from the Taliban for their policies and actions, urging the world to find ways to support Afghan women and girls promptly.

Suicide rates, depression, especially among youth, women, and girls, and the imposition of Taliban-prescribed dress codes on women were among the concerns Bennett addressed.

His report shed light on the increased pressure on ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan, particularly the Hazara community, due to targeted ISIS attacks.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennet, Thursday, called on countries to initiate a case against Afghanistan at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the violation of women’s rights.

His call, made during the 55th regular session of the Human Rights Council, targeted the Taliban’s persistent violation of women’s rights.

“States parties to the convention on the elimination of discrimination against women possess the authority to initiate a case against Afghanistan at the International Court of Justice for non-compliance with the convention and encourage state parties to consider this legal pathway to challenge these violations.”

According to Bennet, Afghanistan’s current state of affairs paints a grim picture, with women and girls facing erasure from public life. He noted a lack of tolerance for peaceful dissent, accompanied by pervasive violence and threats used to control and instil fear among the population.

The dire situation in Afghanistan is further exacerbated by economic and humanitarian crises, resulting in the denial of essential economic, social, and cultural rights. Bennet underscored the urgency of addressing these systemic issues to ensure the well-being and rights of women and girls.

Bennet emphasized the crucial role of the international community in demanding substantial improvements in human rights, particularly concerning the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. He warned against complacency, stating that failure to prioritize these improvements would send a troubling message about global commitment to women’s rights.

Echoing Bennet’s concerns, representatives from various countries expressed solidarity and voiced their apprehension regarding the deteriorating state of women’s rights in Afghanistan. They called upon Afghan authorities to lift restrictions and prioritize the protection of women’s rights.

In response to these international calls for action, the Taliban rebuked accusations of human rights violations, labeling them as Western manipulation. Zabullah Mujahid dismissed the focus on Afghanistan’s human rights record and redirected attention to what they perceived as the oppression and brutality of Israel, signaling a contentious stance on the issue.