The Left Behind Afghans Focus on Women

Critical Findings

Scope of Crisis

• 76,000+ SIV applicants (principals and dependents) remain left behind in Afghanistan

• 160,000 individuals currently in the SIV pipeline when dependents are included

• Nearly tripling of principal applicants since August 2021 (over 50,000 principal applicants as of April 2022)

• 23,000+ visas issued to Afghans since program inception in 2006

Survey Response Data

• 1,934 survey responses collected (down from 3,988 in February report)

• 6.43% female respondents - consistent with 7-10% female representation in SIV population

• Average age: 35 years old (35 male, 39 female)

• Average service length: 4 years

• 71.7% of respondents located in Kabul

Universal Crisis Conditions

Security Threats:

• 29% imprisoned by the Taliban at some point

• 51% detained or questioned by Taliban

• 97% fear leaving their home (up from 95% in February)

Economic Devastation:

• 92% lost jobs since U.S. evacuation (up from 88% in February)

• 97% facing economic hardship (up from 94% in February)

• 86% skipped necessary medical treatment due to lack of funds

Escalating Food Crisis:

• Nearly twice as many respondents going without food over six times in the last month compared to February

• Rapid deterioration in food security across Afghanistan

Women Facing Unprecedented Hardship

This report's primary focus reveals catastrophic impact on women:

Economic Rights Eliminated:

• 98.2% lost economic opportunity based on gender

• 88% were primary breadwinner for household before Taliban takeover

Education and Movement Restricted:

• 94.5% lost educational opportunities based on gender

• 96.3% experienced loss of freedom of movement

• 96.3% forced to change how they dress in public

Violence and Health Crisis:

• 86.9% experienced violence based on gender

• 48.6% report diminished healthcare services

• 83.2% lost access to feminine hygiene products or prefer not to answer

• 34.5% report they or a female family member have been sexually propositioned by Taliban members

Critical Processing Bottleneck

Interview Stage Crisis:

• Increasing numbers stuck waiting for interviews

• No functioning U.S. embassy in Kabul to conduct required in-person interviews

• Department of Homeland Security confirmed: "not processing parole applications in Afghanistan because we currently don't have a presence there"

• Without remote interview capability or third-country processing, interview stage will become indefinite bottleneck for all SIV applications

Positive Movement:

• Fewer applicants waiting for Chief of Mission (COM) approval

• More applicants progressing to later stages of pipeline

• However, they are now stuck at the interview stage with no path forward

Geographic Distribution

• SIV applicants tracked in nearly every Afghan province

• Heavy concentrations in major population centers: Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif

• Applicants also in remote regions throughout Afghanistan

SIV Applicants Outside Afghanistan

AWA tracking applicants worldwide who have better evacuation prospects:

• 64% in Pakistan

• 19% in other locations

• 5% in Turkey

• 4% in Germany

• 3% in USA

• 3% in India

• 1% in Tajikistan and Qatar

• <1% in Uzbekistan

Key Conclusions

Women's Crisis: The situation for women in Afghanistan has reached crisis levels, especially for those who served the United States during its 20-year engagement. Nearly all aspects of women's rights, safety, and basic human dignity have been eliminated under Taliban rule.

Systematic Deterioration: Every metric measured shows worsening conditions from the February 2022 report to June 2022. The trajectory indicates accelerating humanitarian catastrophe.

Processing Paradox: While the U.S. government has improved early-stage SIV processing, applicants are now stuck at the interview stage due to lack of diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. Without innovative solutions (remote interviews, third-country processing), the entire program faces indefinite paralysis.

Survey Fatigue Concern: The 51% drop in survey responses (from 3,988 to 1,934) raises concerns about:

• Applicant exhaustion and loss of hope

• Loss of communication capabilities

• Potential deaths or disappearances

Urgent Action Required: The combination of worsening conditions in Afghanistan and processing bottlenecks creates an untenable situation where U.S. allies face starvation, violence, and persecution while waiting indefinitely for promised protection.