Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in South Asia, with a population of around 39 million as of 2022. It has faced decades of conflict, political instability, and economic challenges, which have had a significant impact on the lives of children and women. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) program was introduced in Afghanistan in 2003 by UNICEF to collect comprehensive data on the situation of children and women. Since then, several rounds of MICS have been conducted. The most recent MICS 2022-2023 survey was carried out by UNICEF in collaboration with the National Statistics and Information Authority, providing statistically sound and internationally comparable data across various sectors, including child mortality, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and child protection. The findings from this latest round offer insights into the current status and progress made in addressing the challenges faced by children and women in Afghanistan.