The leaders of China, Russia, and other BRICS member countries urged the Taliban on Wednesday to lift the ban on education for girls and women in Afghanistan.

In the declaration of the 16th BRICS Summit, the leaders stressed the importance of securing the fundamental rights of Afghan citizens, including women, girls, and different ethnic groups within the country.

The declaration highlighted the urgent need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to revoke the ban on secondary and higher education for girls.

BRICS leaders emphasized the need for “more visible and verifiable actions in Afghanistan” to ensure that terrorists do not use Afghanistan’s territory.

The declaration expressed the group’s support for Afghanistan as an independent, united, and peaceful country free from terrorism, war, and narcotics.

BRICS reiterated the importance of regional platforms and neighboring countries in resolving Afghanistan’s issues and welcomed regional initiatives to facilitate peace.

The 16th BRICS Summit, attended by 36 countries and six international organizations, began on Tuesday, October 23, in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, and will continue until Thursday, October 25.

This report underscores the growing global concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, especially the restrictions imposed on the education of Afghan girls. The BRICS leaders’ call for lifting the ban reflects international pressure on the Taliban to respect fundamental human rights.

The plight of Afghan girls remains a grave issue, as they are deprived of education and essential freedoms. Without immediate intervention and substantial efforts from both regional and global actors, the future of countless Afghan girls remains uncertain, denying them their right to knowledge and a better future.

Mohammad Pir Hayati, the Deputy Head of Security and Places in Lorestan, Iran, stated that since the beginning of the current year, 1,800 Afghan refugees have been arrested in this city.

According to IRIB News Agency on Tuesday, October 22, this Iranian official noted that the number of arrests has increased by more than 100% compared to the previous year.

Reports indicate that most of the Afghan refugees were arrested in the cities of Aligudarz, Khorramabad, and Alishtar in Lorestan province.

The official emphasized that Lorestan has the highest unemployment rate and claimed that job opportunities for the city’s youth are being occupied by “foreign nationals committing crimes.”

He also warned that if anyone employs Afghan refugees, they will face legal consequences in accordance with the law.

This comes as the Islamic Republic of Iran has intensified its pressure and forced deportation of Afghan refugees in recent months.

Recently, Ahmadreza Radan, the commander of Iran’s law enforcement, warned that by the end of this year, two million Afghan refugees would be expelled.

According to this Iranian official, over 750,000 “illegal nationals” have already been deported this year.

The forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan amid Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis highlights their dire situation. With increasing arrests and deportations, many Afghans face a lack of safe refuge, adding to the immense challenges they already face due to political instability and economic hardships in their homeland.

Despite the critical situation in Afghanistan, where many refugees have no viable options to return safely, these actions by neighboring countries exacerbate their vulnerability.

Afghan refugees are left struggling with an uncertain future, limited access to basic resources, and the constant fear of being sent back to a country where their lives may be at risk.

Following an explosion in the densely populated Cinema Pamir area in central Kabul, 11 people, including children and women, were injured and transferred to the Emergency Hospital.

The incident, which occurred around 2:00 PM on Wednesday, was caused by a bomb planted among street vendors and resulted in casualties. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Following the incident, fire trucks were dispatched to the scene, and footage shows people fleeing in panic.

In a statement, the Emergency Hospital confirmed that 11 injured individuals, including a three-year-old girl, two boys aged four and sixteen, two women, and six men, were transferred to the facility. The health condition of one of the injured was reported to be critical.

Reports indicated the explosion occurred in the Leilani Market near the Tazkira Directorate. Some reports indicate that a magnetic mine caused the explosion, but Taliban officials have not yet commented on the matter, and no group has claimed responsibility.

It is worth mentioning that similar explosions in various parts of Kabul have repeatedly resulted in civilian casualties and have significantly impacted the city’s security.

The recurring explosions in Kabul highlight ongoing security challenges in the city, leaving civilians vulnerable to frequent attacks. As authorities continue to investigate the incident, the lack of accountability raises concerns over the effectiveness of security measures in the city.

The incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms and coordinated efforts to protect civilians in conflict-prone areas like Kabul.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) states that currently, 3.2 million children under the age of five and 840,000 pregnant and lactating women in Afghanistan are suffering from severe malnutrition.

In a report published on Monday, October 21, the federation expressed concern over the rising malnutrition rates among children and pregnant women.

The IFRC shared on the social media platform X that of these affected, 1.7 million children are experiencing severe malnutrition, poor cognitive functioning and facing a “risk of death.”

The report noted that the provinces of Paktika and Kandahar have the highest number of affected children and mothers.

According to the report, in Kandahar, more than 103,000 children and nearly 42,000 pregnant and lactating women are suffering from malnutrition. In Paktika, nearly 48,000 children and more than 17,000 pregnant and lactating women are affected.

Meanwhile, Sharafat Zaman, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan, told the media on Monday that efforts are being made to provide healthcare services to children and mothers affected by malnutrition.

He added, “The Ministry of Public Health is striving to increase healthcare centers and inpatient services (IPD) in provinces, remote areas, and the central regions to provide quality services to children and mothers suffering from malnutrition.”

Malnutrition is a type of disease that occurs when one or more essential nutrients are insufficient or excessively consumed.

One of the biggest nutritional issues in many developing countries is famine and the lack of essential food supplies needed for the body’s metabolism. However, malnutrition manifests in different forms, such as obesity, poor eating habits, or undernourishment, in all countries worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is the leading cause of child mortality globally.

The rising malnutrition rates in Afghanistan, particularly among children and pregnant women, present a significant public health challenge, highlighting the urgent need for increased healthcare services and international aid interventions. The ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbates this situation, making it crucial to prioritize nutrition programs to prevent further loss of life.

Comprehensive efforts from national and international organizations are essential to combat malnutrition and ensure that vulnerable populations receive the necessary support and access to basic healthcare and nutrition services.