Afghanistan

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As Afghanistan is still in the process of recovering from a war that lasted from 2001-2014, the main focus of our program is to support citizen participation in the development of this young democracy, improve societal conditions for women and to promote peace at all levels of society.

The country’s democratic institutions remain fragile after years of foreign intervention, and our partners are working to encourage grassroots participation in governance and the peace process. As women remain highly marginalized in Afghanistan, improving their status in society, strengthening their rights and contributing to their economic autonomy are priorities.

"Before, as I couldn’t read and write, I had to sign using my thumbprint without reading or understanding the documents. After attending the literacy classes, now, I am able to read the documents and then sign.” Samira*, a member of one of our partner organizations who couldn’t go to school due to Taliban restrictions.

Our partners intervene at the local, regional and national levels to affect change and ensure that the voices of even the most excluded are part of the country’s reconstruction.

* Name changed to protect identity.

The issues we work on to build justice:

Equality between
women and men

Democracy
and citizen participation

Peace and reconciliation

The situation

Afghanistan is one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world. It has been the theatre of two devastating wars over the last 40 years: the Soviet-Afghan war from 1979 to 1989; and the Afghan War from 2001 to 2014, which was sparked by the 9-11 attacks on New York City. In both cases, there was a high level of foreign intervention that had a significant impact on governance in the country, and power struggles continue to mar elections.

Gender equality in Afghanistan remains among the worst in the world. Women continue to experience extreme forms of discrimination and exclusion, limiting their access to financial resources, to the job market, and to services such as education and healthcare. Furthermore, the implementation of the landmark 2009 presidential Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) has remained poor.

Following the withdrawal of NATO combat forces in December 2014, insecurity continues to plague the country and civilian casualties remain high. Increased fighting with ISIS and the Taliban on different frontlines is resulting more suffering for Afghan civilians.

News

March 8th: International Women’s Day

March 7, 2013

Celebrated for over 100 years in numerous countries around the world, International Women’s Day is an occasion to recognize women for their achievements. Victims of all types of violence, they struggle on a daily basis for better access to land, education, work, credit, and property.

Read more here

Helping Afghan women live in dignity

February 13, 2013

Women in Afghanistan are not very visible in society. There is ongoing resistance to improving their rights, and girls are often prevented from going to school. Yet, it is women who symbolize the greatest hope for establishing sustainable peace in this war-torn country.

February 13, 2013

Ms. Mina*, 50, lives with her husband and children in the province of Kapisa in Afghanistan, a region that has been the site of violent fighting between coalition military forces and Taliban fighters in the ongoing war in the country.

November 23, 2011

UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women and peace and security was adopted in the year 2000. This resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping and post-conflict resolution.