Border Tensions, Women’s Realities: A Gender Alert on the Afghanistan–Pakistan Hostilities

This Gender Alert analyses the impact of recent hostilities on women and girls in eastern Afghanistan and identifies their immediate and medium-term needs. The Alert draws on preliminary updates, information and reports received from women’s organizations and other humanitarian actors engaged with women across the region.

As on-going clashes have limited access to affected areas, the analysis is based on the limited data that could be collected without putting assessment teams – including Afghan women – at risk.

As of 2 March, an estimated 115,000 people had been internally displaced by the hostilities across affected provinces, including many families who were still living in tents following the devastating earthquake in August 2025. The Alert finds that women are experiencing a range of impacts, including displacement, housing damage and loss of livelihoods. Additional barriers – including restrictions on women’s movement – are further compounding economic and social pressures.

The Alert was developed by Afghanistan’s Operational Gender Coordination Group, in collaboration with the Regional Operational Coordination Group for the Eastern Region.