Attachments
Introduction
The de facto authorities (DFA) in Afghanistan implemented a nationwide telecommunications shutdown for 48 hours between 29 September and 1 October 2025, following intermittent cuts across several provinces since 16 September 2025. The blackout of internet and phone services deepened fear, isolation and misinformation, as rumors circulated in the absence of verified information. No official explanation has been provided, though earlier restrictions in Balkh province were justified as measures to “prevent immorality.” The risk of further shutdowns without warning remains.
The telecommunication blackout had far-reaching consequences – disrupting banking, remittances, emergency and medical services, airports, access to information, and online classes – severing vital lifelines for women and girls who, already confined to the home, rely on connectivity for education, livelihoods, and protection. This Alert assesses the gendered impact of the blackout through a protection lens, focusing particularly on how it disrupted humanitarian and basic human needs programming. It also sets out recommendations to strengthen preparedness of stakeholders operating in Afghanistan, including humanitarian actors, civil society organizations and international stakeholders, such as the UN.