Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Dozens of people—primarily protesters and some law enforcement officials—have reportedly been killed in Kashmir since June ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections set for 27 July. Protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which includes traders, students, and lawyers, have been banned under anti-terrorism laws for alleged threats to public order. Several JAAC leaders have been arrested. The UN human rights office has expressed serious concern about the impact of the crackdown on freedom of expression, assembly, and association, urging the restoration of full internet access and inclusive political dialogue to address grievances in the region.
In Europe and Central Asia, women now make up 54 percent of all migrants, marking a significant shift in migration trends. According to UN Women, more women are migrating independently in search of education, decent work, safety, and economic opportunities, rather than just accompanying family members. This trend is occurring amid regional conflicts—including the war in Ukraine—as well as climate challenges such as floods, droughts, and extreme heat.
Despite new opportunities, migrant women often face barriers such as being overqualified for jobs or concentrated in low-paid and insecure sectors, with increased risks of exploitation and gender-based violence. The report notes that women and girls make up the majority of identified victims of human trafficking in several countries. Between 2022 and 2024, most migrants arriving from Ukraine and Moldova in the EU were women.
UN Women urges governments to expand safe and regular migration pathways, strengthen labor protections, improve recognition of qualifications, and ensure migrant and refugee women are included in decision-making that affects their lives.