Afghan Women Face Hardship Amid Forced Returns from Pakistan, Iran

Thousands of Afghan women and families returned from Pakistan and Iran struggle with poverty, lack of shelter, and growing human rights concerns.

Afghanistan is witnessing a growing humanitarian crisis as thousands of women and families are forcibly deported from neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran. Returnees report severe economic hardship, lack of shelter, and limited access to basic services, highlighting urgent human rights concerns.

Many of these women-headed households had previously relied on work in Iran and Pakistan. Forced returns have left them without financial support, pushing families into extreme poverty during harsh winter conditions. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warns that over two million returnees face critical livelihood challenges.

Forced deportations are compounding an already dire refugee situation. Afghan migrants, especially women and children, are sent back to regions where gender-based violence, early or forced marriages, and restricted freedoms are prevalent. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for protection measures for these vulnerable groups.

Journalists and media workers in Afghanistan also face severe threats. Reporting on forced deportations, women’s rights, and protests has become increasingly dangerous. Many face harassment, detention, or violence for covering sensitive issues, further limiting the public’s access to critical information.

Access to food, shelter, and healthcare remains extremely limited. Only 11% of returnees have employment, while one in four lacks adequate housing according to UN reports. Over half of households cannot meet basic needs, and female-headed households suffer disproportionately from food insecurity and unemployment. UN reports indicate that women comprise nearly half of all returnees from Pakistan and a third from Iran.

The UN reported that roughly 75% of Afghans are unemployed, while 90% live below the poverty line, highlighting the country’s severe economic and humanitarian crisis.

Ongoing unrest in Iran, including widespread protests, has affected Afghan refugees, forcing many to return under unsafe conditions. Similarly, increased deportations from Pakistan have strained Afghanistan’s border regions, creating urgent humanitarian and security concerns.

Human rights groups stress the need for immediate intervention to protect women, children, and journalists, and to ensure safe and dignified conditions for refugees. Without international support, Afghanistan risks a worsening cycle of displacement, rights violations, and economic collapse.

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