Challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Afghanistan

On December 3rd, the United Nations marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to raising awareness about issues affecting the 16% of the global population living with disabilities.

In Afghanistan, under the control of Taliban administration, approximately 200,000 disabled individuals are registered with the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Persons.

The UN General Assembly officially recognized December 3rd as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 1992, with the goal of “promoting public awareness of disability issues.” Since then, the day has been observed annually.

Globally, individuals with disabilities represent 16% of the world’s population, and this number is higher in countries suffering from prolonged wars. Afghanistan, which has experienced decades of internal violence and foreign invasions, has a significant population of disabled individuals.

According to officials from the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Persons in Afghanistan, nearly 200,000 men and women with disabilities are registered with the ministry. While ministry officials claim that the rights and needs of disabled individuals have been addressed, the humanitarian crisis and increasing demand for assistance have further marginalized disabled people in Afghanistan.

However, reports from human rights organizations indicate that the actual number of disabled persons in Afghanistan is in the millions. The small number of registered individuals in the ministry suggests that adequate measures are not being taken, and their rights are not being fully respected. Human Rights Watch reported that the number of disabled persons in Afghanistan exceeded 4.4 million in 2021.

Activists working to support disabled individuals highlight challenges such as the lack of employment opportunities for people with disabilities, delays in salary payments by the government, and their limited access to healthcare services.

Banafsha Yaqoubi, the founder of the “Rahyab” organization, during a recent event, criticized the violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan, pointing out that women with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also issued a statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting that increasing poverty and unemployment in Afghanistan, under the control of the Taliban, have had the most devastating impact on individuals with disabilities.

Despite ongoing efforts from various organizations, the disabled population in Afghanistan continues to face significant challenges. Without adequate government support and societal integration, disabled individuals remain among the most marginalized groups in the country, further exacerbated by economic hardship and lack of access to essential services.

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