16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

Nearly half of Afghan women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, in recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters around the country it seen that many women experienced the violence. A new report, based on data from 20 provinces, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity. They have no chance to report to the police or other authorized officers. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would report to the human right agencies.

While pervasive, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence.

 Given the situation of women in Afghanistan, the government of Afghanistan must take effective and practical measures to improve the legal status of women within the framework of the constitution. International Covenants on the Protection of Women and the national strategy for the development of Afghanistan. 

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, taking into account the existing problems in the field of women's rights; Recommends the following to the government of Afghanistan to improve the living conditions of women.

⦁ Raising the level of knowledge and public opinion about the social and individual rights and privileges of citizens, especially the legal status of women in family and social relations, through the development and implementation of extensive and sustainable educational programs by ministries; Education, Higher Education, Hajj and Endowments, Justice, Women's Affairs and other sectorial ministries;

⦁ Creating opportunities and income-generating employment opportunities for women in order to provide financial independence and eliminate women's strong financial dependence on men in the family.

⦁ Creating administrative opportunities for women at high levels of national and private departments and institutions and involving them in major national decisions and policies, with the aim of providing permanent guarantees to support the role of women in social life.

Creating effective strategies to combat the rule of custom and superstitious traditions that undermine women's human rights and support the continuation of a patriarchal culture.

Providing healthy, committed and specialized capacities in the justice system of the country with the aim of destroying the culture of exemption and serious struggle against those who support the continuation of the culture of exemption. Finally, establishing a family court in all provinces and forcing the registration of marriages and the use of marriage contracts.