Afghans' misery.

WHEN one thinks of the people of Afghanistan, it is impossible not to be consumed by a deep sense of pessimism. Living in the shadow of war and broken governance for decades, generations in our neighbouring country have been repeatedly disappointed by those who have vowed to find solutions. Last week, a senior UN official highlighted that Afghanistan remains the world's largest humanitarian crisis this year, notwithstanding the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria. The situation is abysmal; girls have been gradually withdrawn from schools by the Taliban and not allowed to return. Women are kept out of the workplace.

Though women have been allowed to teach, and partake in the medical field to provide services, they are only allowed to do so in the presence of a mahram. Despite the international community's criticism and pressure, the Taliban's outlook on women's rights remains unchanged. Worse, the effects of climate change and economic difficulties have plunged Afghans further into turmoil, with 28m people now dependent on aid for survival. As GDP falls, food costs rise and unemployment increases...