CANBERRA, Australia — The Australian government has announced an additional $5 million in humanitarian assistance to support Afghan women and girls, according to a joint statement issued by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy.
The new funding will be channeled through United Nations partners to deliver critical services focused on sexual and reproductive health, protection from gender-based violence, and assistance for displaced women and girls.
“Australia is steadfast in its support for Afghan women and girls, who have shown incredible courage in the face of the Taliban’s systematic human rights violations and abuses,” Wong said.
Conroy emphasized that protecting women and girls in humanitarian crises is a key priority under the government’s 2024 Humanitarian Strategy.
“We know the situation under the Taliban is particularly egregious, and we are proud to support the delivery of essential health services to Afghan women and girls,” he said.
The announcement comes as humanitarian organizations continue to warn of severe funding gaps in Afghanistan, where an estimated 23 million people — including more than 12 million children — will require humanitarian aid in 2025.
