As of September 2023, over 2.43 million undocumented Afghan migrants have returned from Iran and Pakistan. Among these returnees, women and girls constitute a significant portion, particularly from Pakistan, where they make up roughly half of the group. The number of women returning from Iran has also been on the rise, with about 30% recorded in June. The UN Women and the UN reproductive health agency (UNFPA) report that these increasing returns are putting a strain on Afghanistan’s already overextended humanitarian system, with women and girls suffering the most from this crisis.
At border crossings, women and girls are entering with minimal protection or support. Many lack basic necessities like proper clothing and food. Without a mahram, a male guardian, they face heightened risks, including extortion, harassment, and threats of violence. Some accounts from border areas reveal how women were exploited and mistreated during their return journeys.
Upon returning, many women and girls are exposed to gender-based violence, early and forced marriages, trafficking, and transactional sex, all of which are made worse by the scarcity of resources. There is a shortfall of secure spaces and mental health support services at border points, where many women arrive in a state of distress.
Across various provinces, returnee women highlight shelter, livelihood opportunities, and education for girls as their most pressing needs. Many women-headed households reside in makeshift shelters and face the threat of eviction. Disputes over rent and inadequate housing are common, with some families struggling to afford even the most basic necessities. Women who used to work in professions such as tailoring or crafts face difficulties restarting these trades due to lack of equipment, movement restrictions, and insufficient networks.
Humanitarian agencies stress the importance of scaling up gender-responsive services, including safe accommodations, mental health care, livelihood assistance, and access to education. They urge for increased funding and sustained international support to address the immediate and long-term needs of Afghan women and girls returning from exile.
Source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2025/07/1165331
