UK Asylum Rejections for Afghan Women Surge

DID Press: Reports show a sharp rise in the rejection of asylum applications filed by Afghan women in the United Kingdom, leaving hundreds without access to protection and humanitarian support.

According to a joint report by the Amnesty International and the Gender Action for Peace and Security, new UK asylum policies have significantly reduced approval rates, effectively preventing many women fleeing Taliban rule from securing refuge.

Data indicates that the acceptance rate for Afghan asylum seekers has dropped dramatically—from 96 percent to 34 percent. In 2025, at least 370 Afghan women and girls faced rejection of their asylum claims.

This development comes as women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face sweeping restrictions, including bans on education and employment, limits on freedom of movement, and exclusion from public life—conditions that have forced many to flee the country.

Despite these risks, many female applicants in the UK are receiving negative decisions and remain trapped in prolonged legal uncertainty.

Carla McLaren, Government Affairs Manager at Amnesty International UK, described the surge in rejections as evidence of serious weaknesses in the country’s asylum decision-making system.

She warned that denying international protection to women clearly at risk deprives them of the fundamental right to live in safety and dignity. According to her, the continuation of current policies shows they not only fail to protect asylum seekers but effectively block their access to security.