Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been engulfed in violent armed conflict since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, and efforts to build sustainable peace while preventing the re-establishment of extremist rule depend on the inclusion of women.
Living in the most dangerous place in the world to be a woman, as the Thomas Reuters Foundation revealed in 2011, Afghani women have emerged as leaders in the peace process— advocating constantly for more inclusive government, and inspiring marginalized groups nationwide to demand a place in the political system. Despite the important role that Afghani women play in bringing about social change in Afghanistan, many barriers to their involvement still exist.
Based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for eliminating these barriers by encouraging UNAMA to support the Afghan government in fully implementing the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP), and ensuring women’s full and equal participation in regularly held elections.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Afghanistan (December 2015)
In its consideration of the report on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Council members must call on Afghanistan to ensure that the human rights of women and girls, are not compromised in the pursuit of other interests. Afghan women human rights defenders (WHRDs), who are playing a fundamental role in shaping the future of Afghanistan, face increasing insecurity across the country. As the Taliban, Islamic State, and other armed groups attempt to destabilize areas around the country, women are often primary targets. They face ongoing intimidation, threats and targeted violence, and WHRDs continue to risk their lives, without adequate security and protection. The Afghan government must ensure that hard won gains regarding women and girls’ participation and human rights are maintained and advanced. In their discussion, Council members should call on Afghanistan to:
- Ensure women’s security and ability to move freely throughout the country by countering the Taliban and other armed groups, in full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law;
- Promote public awareness campaigns that highlight the vital work of WHRDs, and that recognize their contributions to Afghan society as well as prioritize support and resources to women human rights defenders in insecure and volatile areas of the country; including by publicly recognizing their important work on women’s rights, by taking concrete steps to ensure that all allegations of threats or attacks against WHRDs are fully and impartially investigated, monitored, and perpetrators of violence against WHRDs are held to account, and that this is monitored effectively by the Ministry of Interior. Ensure all prosecutions of perpetrators of violence against WHRDs use appropriate legislation in fair trials and without recourse to the death penalty;
- Build the capability of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to respond to WHRDs at risk, including through monitoring violence against WHRDs, and providing temporary shelter, and assistance with temporary or permanent relocation;
- Minimize to the greatest extent possible any civilian casualties caused by pro-government forces;
- Ensure full implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP) as a critical step in elevating women as full and equal partners in creating a stable future for the country; and
- Ensure women’s security, ability to move freely and involvement in all efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, including in peace jirgas and any negotiations with the Taliban, to ensure reconciliation does not undermine women’s progress.
In its consideration of the report on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Council members must call on Afghanistan to ensure that the human rights of women and girls, are not compromised in the pursuit of other interests. Afghan women human rights defenders (WHRDs), who are playing a fundamental role in shaping the future of Afghanistan, face increasing insecurity across the country. As the Taliban, Islamic State, and other armed groups attempt to destabilize areas around the country, women are often primary targets. They face ongoing intimidation, threats and targeted violence, and WHRDs continue to risk their lives, without adequate security and protection. The Afghan government must ensure that hard won gains regarding women and girls’ participation and human rights are maintained and advanced. In their discussion, Council members should call on Afghanistan to:
- Ensure women’s security and ability to move freely throughout the country by countering the Taliban and other armed groups, in full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law;
- Promote public awareness campaigns that highlight the vital work of WHRDs, and that recognize their contributions to Afghan society as well as prioritize support and resources to women human rights defenders in insecure and volatile areas of the country; including by publicly recognizing their important work on women’s rights, by taking concrete steps to ensure that all allegations of threats or attacks against WHRDs are fully and impartially investigated, monitored, and perpetrators of violence against WHRDs are held to account, and that this is monitored effectively by the Ministry of Interior. Ensure all prosecutions of perpetrators of violence against WHRDs use appropriate legislation in fair trials and without recourse to the death penalty;
- Build the capability of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to respond to WHRDs at risk, including through monitoring violence against WHRDs, and providing temporary shelter, and assistance with temporary or permanent relocation;
- Minimize to the greatest extent possible any civilian casualties caused by pro-government forces;
- Ensure full implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP) as a critical step in elevating women as full and equal partners in creating a stable future for the country; and
- Ensure women’s security, ability to move freely and involvement in all efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, including in peace jirgas and any negotiations with the Taliban, to ensure reconciliation does not undermine women’s progress.
Relevant Resources
