Written By: Tabasum Nasiry

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has stated that, in light of the collapse of Afghanistan’s economic system, it has supported 50 women in the central regions of the country in various aspects, ranging from small and medium-sized businesses to infrastructure and healthcare services for women.

On Monday, 29^th January, this organization released a report, affirming that the goal of UNDP’s development programs is to support women entrepreneurs in strengthening and enriching communities.

Friba, a college student at Bamyan University’s Law School, who couldn’t continue her education due to limitations, expressed to this organization that she wanted to support her family after completing her studies. However, due to the constraints, she has established a small dairy business in a residential complex in Bamyan.

She, who collects raw materials from villages across the region to produce dairy products, emphasized that with the “cessation of dairy product purchases, orders decreased by over 60%, and women in the districts even had to stop raising sheep and cows because there was no demand. I lost hope and considered quitting.”

Friba, expressing her satisfaction with the United Nations development programs, stated, “One of the reasons women are subjected to violence is their lack of economic independence.”

According to the UNDP report, in addition to supporting women entrepreneurs, the organization has also provided them with business opportunities worth over USD 1,500.

This is happening while, after two years, women are still deprived of access to their fundamental rights, including education, work, and active participation.

The United Nations Development Program had previously announced that it has created communal kitchens to provide work opportunities and income.

According to the UNDP development program, the prohibition of women’s work has affected Afghanistan’s economy, causing a blow of 600 million to 1 billion dollars to the country’s economy.

In a recent report by the International Transparency Organization, Afghanistan, now ruled by the Taliban, has fallen to the 162nd position in the Corruption Fighting Index for 2023, with a low score of just 20 points.

In 2022, Afghanistan was ranked 150th among 180 countries with the same score.

This is in contrast to Afghanistan’s position in 2021, where it ranked 174th among 180 countries with a score of 16 points.

The International Transparency Organization reports that among the 180 countries they assessed, nearly two-thirds of them scored less than fifty points.

Meanwhile, Somalia has fallen two places compared to the previous year, earning 11 points, making it the most corrupt country in the world.

Afghanistan is now ranked alongside countries like Sudan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Chad, Comoros, and Eritrea in the fight against corruption.

Iran has also seen a drop in its ranking to 149th place compared to 2022.

Denmark, with a score of 90 points, is considered the cleanest country in the world, followed by Finland with 87 points and New Zealand with 85 points, ranking second and third, respectively.

The organization points out in its analysis that the decrease in transparency in some countries is due to a global trend of weakening judicial systems, leading to a decrease in government officials’ accountability for corruption.

According to this organization, even in countries with high rankings in the Corruption Fighting Index, exemptions from punishment have led to an increase in corruption in some countries.

According to the report from the International Transparency Organization, countries with high scores are often involved in numerous high-profile corruption cases, leading to bribery when conducting business abroad. Furthermore, countries with the highest scores frequently fail to apprehend corrupt actors and their associates.

Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, emphasized the vital importance of reopening schools and universities for girls during a meeting with a group of women activists and supporters of girls’ education.

Mr. Karzai considered girls’ education crucial for the progress and development of Afghanistan during this meeting.

He also wrote in his social media platform X on Tuesday that “National dialogue and understanding are essential for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the country.”

During this meeting, female activists stressed the necessity of higher education for girls for the growth and development of society.

These women activists called for effective measures in various areas, including ensuring girls’ education rights, and emphasized national unity in this regard.

Mr. Karzai had previously mentioned during a meeting with representatives of international organizations that national dialogue should be initiated for the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban took control of Kabul, they have implemented over 50 decrees that severely curtailed women’s rights, including access to education, employment, and free movement. These restrictions have effectively erased women from public life.

Despite facing widespread criticism from both national and international organizations and prominent figures, the Taliban has continued to tighten its grip and impose more restrictions. As a result, no countries have officially recognized their regime due to these oppressive policies.

Chinese company Afg-Chin Oil and Gas Limited has announced plans to activate 24 new wells in the Amu Darya basin in 2024, aiming to increase daily oil extraction to over 2,000 tons.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum confirmed that the company’s head recently met with the Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum to discuss their ambitious agenda for 2024.

Among the discussed plans are the construction of oil reserves with a substantial capacity of 6,000 tons and the establishment of an oil refinery. Additionally, they plan to repair two idle wells and drill 22 new ones.

Afg-Chin Oil and Gas currently possesses an oil reservoir capable of holding 4,000 tons, but they intend to construct a new reservoir in the Qashqari area of Sar-e-Pul Province, increasing its capacity.

Acting Minister of Taliban, Shahabuddin Delawar stressed the importance of transparency in the mining process during the meeting. He also emphasized the need to employ specialists and engineers from Afghanistan.

These developments are part of the efforts to make Afghanistan self-sufficient in the oil and gas sector, which might signal a push towards greater economic independence.

With the activation of these new wells and the expansion of oil infrastructure, Afghanistan aims to strengthen its position in the energy sector and reduce its reliance on external sources for oil and gas.