UNICEF Praises Mothers in Afghanistan as Heroes of Their Communities

UNICEF has described mothers in Afghanistan as heroes and key pillars of their communities. The organization made the statement on Mother's Day, emphasizing the significant roles mothers play in education, health, and caregiving for their families and society.

This message was shared via a post on the X platform on 24 Jawza. It comes at a time when Afghanistan is experiencing a severe economic crisis that has left many families struggling.

According to available data, 21.9 million Afghans, including over 10.7 million women and girls, are in need of humanitarian aid this year. The situation is particularly dire for women and children, with many facing limited access to basic services.

The United Nations Population Fund has highlighted that approximately 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are suffering from acute malnutrition. This is due in part to reductions in aid and restrictions placed on women working in the health sector.

Additionally, the World Bank has reported a maternal mortality rate of 521 per 100,000 live births in the country. Such figures underscore the difficult conditions under which mothers are raising their children.

Over the past nearly five years, the Taliban have implemented wide-ranging restrictions on women's education, work, and social activities. Human rights institutions have referred to these policies as gender apartheid, noting their impact on the lives of women and girls across Afghanistan.

Mothers continue to serve as central figures in their communities despite these obstacles.