Afghan Women Lose Again in Policy and Security Vacuum

The international community's failure to follow through in Afghanistan means that despite the removal of the Taliban, women are still marginalised in the political process, and in many areas are subjected to higher levels of violence, forced marriage, trafficking and prostitution.  A new report from international women's rights group WOMANKIND Worldwide today calls on the UK Government to lead an international push to implement promises made only a year ago that women would enjoy full rights and participation in the new Afghanistan.

WOMANKIND's report, reflecting the views and experience of Afghan women, shows that while gains for some Afghan women have been small but significant, there is still no coherent and consistent strategy to involve them in the reconstruction process or democratic structures.  Women's rights and needs are increasingly marginalised as international donors claim to fear putting too much pressure on what they perceive as a fledgling Afghan government.

Maggie Baxter, WOMANKIND's Executive Director said:
"We are concerned that short-term symbolic projects benefiting women are distracting from the continuing failure to involve women in structures and decision making for the long term.  Meanwhile, women who are willing to speak out or attempt to claim social, educational or political space experience violence, repression and condemnation, sending a powerful signal to other women not to take the same route."

"We are ringing the alarm bells now to ensure that there are targets for women's inclusion and guarantees for their security of participation in this October's constitutional Loya Jirga, as well as for the national elections in 2004," she added.
The report also highlights how the inadequacy of international funding for Afghanistan's reconstruction is leading to competing priorities, allowing women's rights and their democratic participation to slip down the agenda and thus threatening the country's long term stability -an important lesson for those for those currently formulating policy in Iraq.

Notes
  1. The 'Balance Sheet', Taking Stock Update: Afghan Women and Girls Sixteen Months On (WOMANKIND Worldwide, May 2003) is at http://www.womankind.org.uk
  2. WOMANKIND Worldwide is the international charity helping women get an education, start businesses, safeguard their health and know and claim their rights in 20 developing countries.
  3. Funding shortages are stalling the implementation of programmes needed to stabilise Afghanistan, for example through demilitarisation, restoration of infrastructure, and the development of a strong and fair judiciary and police force. 
  4. The importance of the role of women in peacekeeping, building and maintaining peace is enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted unanimously by the Security Council in October 2000.
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