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 (March 2023)
In the context of the situation in Afghanistan, the worst women’s rights crisis in the world, protection of women’s rights and the full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership of diverse Afghan women, including civil society and women’s rights organizations, in all fora, at all levels and at all stages of decision-making must be a top priority in any deliberations by the Security Council. It is critical that UNAMA, the mission with the longest standing mandate to monitor and address women’s human rights, has the capacity, resources and political support to maintain a strong presence and fully implement its mandate in close consultation with Afghan women civil society, including women human rights defenders and women’s rights organizations. In forthcoming negotiations, the Security Council should heed the Secretary-General’s recommendation to renew UNAMA’s mandate for 12 months, with no changes, as defined by resolution 2626 (2022). In particular, the Council should protect the following aspects of UNAMA’s mandate:
- Mainstream gender as a cross-cutting issue throughout implementation of its mandate (OP 5(f)), and support and promote gender equality, women and girls’ empowerment and full protection of their human rights, including their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights (OPs 5(f), 5(e)).
- Monitor and report specifically on violations, abuses and reprisals committed against women, including women human rights defenders (OP 5(f)), and further monitor, report on and advocate for the protection of civilians, and the prevention and elimination of violence, including by implementing a “survivor-centered approach” to preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence (OP 5(e)).
- Unequivocally support the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation, engagement and leadership of women in all levels and stages of decision-making (OPs 5(c), 5(f)).
- Support implementation of international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (OP 5(e)).
- Highlight the importance of a principled humanitarian response by humanitarian and development agencies and personnel, both women and men, across all ethnic groups, in all areas of the country, in support of all people in need, including women, and enable them to carry out their work without hindrance (OP 5(a)). Engage with diverse Afghan women’s organizations and networks, including consultation with and inclusion of displaced women, ethnic minorities and women from other marginalized groups (OP 5(f)).
- Provide comprehensive analysis and liaise with Afghan women leaders, human rights defenders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to promote political inclusion and broad participation in the conduct of public affairs, and analyze and report on developments relating to the rule of law (OP 5(d)).
Relevant Resources
