Policies/Frameworks/Laws
Constitution
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The Constitution of Afghanistan contains a number of provisions related to gender equality and VAW, such as Article 54, which states “Family is the fundamental pillar of the society, and shall be protected by the state. The state shall adopt necessary measures to attain the physical and spiritual health of the family, especially of the child and mother, upbringing of children, as well as the elimination of related traditions contrary to the principles of the sacred religion of Islam.” It also commits the GIRoA to observe the United Nations Charter, inter-state agreements, as well as international treaties to which Afghanistan has joined, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Law
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The Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Law was passed by Presidential decree in 2009, marking a landmark effort to prevent violence against women and punish perpetrators. It criminalizes acts of violence against women including rape, domestic violence, child marriage, forced marriage, baad, and other forms of VAW, totaling 22 specific forms, and specifies punishments for those who commit such acts, and outlines the rights of victims.
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Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
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The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. The Afghan government signed the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 14 August 1980.
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Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS)
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The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), formally approved by President Hamid Karzai on April 21, 2008, is the document that outlines the Government of Afghanistan's strategies for security, governance, economic growth and poverty reduction. Started as an interim report in 2005, the ANDS is the product of intensive consultations between the Afghan government and a wide array of stakeholders including tribal and religious leaders, the private sector, NGOs, and the international community. It covered three main areas: security; governance, rule of law, and human rights; and economic and social development.
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National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA)
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The government developed this 10-year National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) in 2007. The Action Plan covers the areas of security, governance, rule of law and human rights, as well as economic and social development.
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National Priority Programs (NPPs)
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The 2010 Kabul Conference was presented with the concept notes of the 22 National Priority Programs (NPPs). The direction was also given by the Conference that these concept notes should be developed into full-fledged program proposals, clearing giving the road map to convert concepts into concrete, implementable and practical plans with costing/budgets. Accordingly, all the concerned ministries started developing these program proposals for NPPs. Each proposal had the objectives/goals of the program as well as its components/sub-components, defines the strategy to achieve these objectives, contains a 3-years implementation plan with timelines, broad activities and outcome/output indicators.
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Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework (TMAF) and Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework (SMAF)
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Realizing the need for deepening mutual accountability between the government of Afghanistan and the international community to face the challenges of the Transformation Decade, the Tokyo Conference in July 2012 set out the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework (TMAF). In December 2014 the GIRoA presented its paper “Realizing Self-Reliance: Commitments to Reforms and Renewed Partnerships”. TMAF and the reform agenda of the government together represent the actions to be taken in the future, and have been consolidated in a single document, the Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework (SMAF). The SMAF will now guide the government and the international community at least to the end of the term of the present government.
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GBV Treatment Protocol and Standard Operating Procedures for Healthcare Sector response to GBV
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The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan developed a gender-based violence (GBV) treatment protocol for health care providers in Afghanistan in 2014, and Standard Operating Procedures the healthcare facilities involved in the multi-agency coordination model developed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)
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Shelter Regulations
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The Shelter Regulations were established through the Shelters Commission and the Ministry of National Women’s Affairs.
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National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 - Women, Peace and Security (2015-2022)
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The Afghanistan National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325 was developed in 2015 to address the challenges women faced in the aftermath of war and conflict in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs chairs the Steering Committee, which has a a central role in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the NAP.
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Civil Society Organizations
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Coordination Bodies
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Afghan Shelter Network
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The Afghan Shelter Network includes Afghan civil society organizations who are directly managing and implementing shelter activities.
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Afghan Women's Advocacy Coalition
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The Afghan Women’s Advocacy Coalition (AWAC) was formed in 2010 by a group of 20 civil society organizations in coordination with the Ministry of Women Affairs. The platform was established to coordinate the advocacy grant program. When the grant came to an end, the coalition decreased in size including just two organizations and a number of dedicated individuals. AWAC is managed by volunteers.
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Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development (ACBAR)
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ACBAR is an Afghan independent body bringing together over 120 national and international NGOs working in Afghanistan and abiding by the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity. ACBAR has a gender consultative group.
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Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium (HRRAC)
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HRRAC is a consortium of 14 national and international organizations that are working in the field of human rights including child rights and women rights, peace building as well as development and humanitarian assistance. HRRAC was formed in early 2003 to engage in proactive research and advocacy on human rights in Afghanistan. They have conducted research related to VAW.
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Afghan CSOs
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Afghan Women's Educational Center (AWEC)
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The Afghan Women’s Educational Center (AWEC) was established in 1991 by a group of educated Afghan women who rallied together to address the lack of facilities for Afghan refugees in the Islamabad/Rawalpindi area. AWEC is committed to promoting human rights and gender equality, working towards the abolishment of any kind of discrimination and violence against women and children through awareness raising and advocacy and through the delivery of social service.
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Afghan Women's Network (AWN)
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The Afghan Women's Network (AWN) was founded in 1995, serving as a well-established network for the growing number of women's organizations and individual members operating in the country. AWN fulfills the role of a network of organizations, as well as undertaking its own Advocacy function, addressing issues such as gender-based violence, youth empowerment and girl's education.
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Afghan Women's Resource Center (AWRC)
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AWRC, Afghan Women Resource Center was founded in 1989 by a group of educated Afghan women, in order to stand up for the interests and welfare of Afghan women in refugee camps in Peshawar. AWRC believes that providing economic opportunities is not enough on its own to empower women. The organization strives to eliminate gender discrimination and the violence against women through advocacy. On the ground, AWRC engages in advocacy to sensitize the community towards accepting women’s valuable contribution, as producers and caretakers in the community and families.
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Afghan Women's Skills Development Center (AWSDC)
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AWSDC is a non profit organization established in 1999 with programming focusing on the needs of Afghan women, including widows and the disabled or chronically ill, and orphan children. The goals of AWSDC are to reduce the suffering of Afghan women and children through promotion of peace and initiation of rehabilitation and development oriented projects reaching the most vulnerable populations in the remote and urban areas of Afghanistan.
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Afghan Women's Social and Cultural Organization (AWSCO)
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AWSCO was established in 1994 and states its mission as to ‘contribute to the rehabilitation and development of Afghanistan through the planning, designing and undertaking of economic and humanitarian assistance programs, as well as by developing the skills and capacity of Afghan women’. The organization supports a series of projects throughout central and northern Afghanistan that include women’s rights education, health programs, emergency relief, and vocational training.
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Afghan Women’s Rights Organization (AWRO)
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AWRO has been facilitating community development initiatives since 1996 in Pakistan and 2007 in Afghanistan. Our strategy is to empower the vulnerable sections of the society by building up their capacities through education, health and skill-based development. We are working for the cause of human development focusing on the less privileged sections of the society in the rural & urban areas of the country. AWRO is an implementing partner of the TAF strengthened access to justice project.
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Afghanistan Capacity Development Education Organization (ACDEO)
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Afghanistan Capacity Development and Educational Organization (ACDEO) is committed to improving the well-being of all Afghans by improving social welfare and promoting a better quality of life. ACDEO works to give women, men and children the opportunity to access justice, counselling and education.
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Afghanistan National Participation Organization (ANPO)
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Afghanistan National Participation Organization (ANPO) is an independent, non political and not-for-profit organization that was established in 2008 to support cultural, social and civil development in Afghanistan. ANPO is an implementing partner of the TAF strengthened access to justice project.
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Assistance to Defend Women's Rights Organization (ADWRO)
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The Assistance to Defend Women Rights Organization (ADWRO) works to bring about positive changes in women’s lives in Afghanistan by providing legal awareness, capacity-building and free legal services to women. ADWRO provides legal aid to female victims of violence.
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Better Afghanistan Organization for Peace and Human Rights (BAOPHR)
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Better Afghanistan Organization for Peace and Human Rights (BAOPHR) is a non-governmental, non-political, independent and non-profit organization which founded in 2008 to promote peace, justice, gender equality and human rights in war ravaged Afghanistan. Since June 2008, BAOPHR implementing projects on promotion of the women rights and gender equality as well as reduction of the discriminatory practices in northern region of Afghanistan. BAOPHR provides legal aid to female victims of violence.
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Cooperation Center for Afghanistan (CCA)
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Through activities, such as training workshops and seminars, advocacy campaigns, refugee education, human rights monitoring, and rural community development, CCA promotes citizen-based sustainable development, democratic values, pluralism, the rule of law and women’s participation.
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Educational and Training Center for Poor Women and Girls of Afghanistan (ECW)
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The Educational and Training Center for Poor Women and Girls of Afghanistan (ECW), which was established in October 1997, with the aim of empowering Afghan women and girls economically, socially, and legally. Implemented projects include the Stop the Violence against Women, which was by UNIFEM.
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Equality for Peace and Democracy
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EQUALITY for Peace and Democracy (EPD) is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering women and youth at the community and policy levels in Afghanistan. EPD has established platforms for women and youth to come together, establish networks, build trust and confidence, and strive jointly to transform Afghanistan into a democratic country free of all forms of violence and discrimination. EPD is an implementing partner of the TAF strengthened access to justice project.
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HEWAD
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HEWAD is a nongovernmental, nonpolitical and nonprofit able charity organization established in 1994 to provide Medical, Educational, Social and Humanitarian Assistance to needy people of Afghanistan. HEWAD is partnering with The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the “Strengthening the capacity of Afghanistan’s National Police Force and other legal actors towards combating violence against women and girls”.
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Humanitarian Assistance for the Women and Children of Afghanistan (HAWCA)
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HAWCA is an Afghan national NGO dedicated to working for the social wellbeing of all people with a particular focus on women and children who live in Afghanistan or in refugee communities in Pakistan. HAWCA provides direct help and assistance to women facing violence and uses its experience to raise awareness within the communities of Afghanistan, with the national government and internationally.
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Legal and Cultural Services for Afghan Women and Children (LCSAWC)
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Legal and Cultural Services for Afghan Women and Children (LCSAWC) was established in 1974 by a committed team to responding to the legal needs of Afghan women and children within communities and civil society. The organization strives for welfare and progress, with a focus on the empowerment of women. The focus of LCSAWC in human rights is on upholding women’s rights and social and human rights according to Sharia for families and society in general. LCSAWC aims to further peacebuilding among people by preventing and eliminating violence against women.
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Medica Afghanistan (MA)
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Medica Afghanistan was started in 2002 by medica mondiale, a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Germany that specializes in providing aid to women victims of sexual violence in war-torn countries and crisis zones around the world. MA provides psychosocial support for VAW survivors in Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif, and Herat. They also work with MoPH on mental health and VAW issues, and provide training to service providers on trauma-sensitive care for VAW survivors including healthcare workers, police, and other service providers.
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New Afghanistan Women Association (NAWA)
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The New Afghanistan Women Association (NAWA) is a non-profit organization (NGO) that advocates to change the public mind to accept democracy, human rights, and gender equality. They use media programs, local shuras, and raise awareness and build capacity for people, especially women, This organization has plans to design and prepare projects to support and enhance democracy of Afghanistan, support women, and advocate for the elimination of violence against women and children with the support of the community.
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Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)
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Established in 1977, the RAWA is the oldest political and social organization for women in Afghanistan. It provides support to female victims of war and atrocities, including helping to secure passage to Pakistan for medical treatment and providing counselling. In addition, the organization runs targeted programs on health-care and education which include mobile health teams and home-based schools and literacy courses.
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Voice for Women Organization (VWO)
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Voice for Women Organization is an Afghanistan based NGO that strives to improve the position of women in Afghan society through advocacy for women’s rights, social protection, and capacity building.
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Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF)
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The Women and children legal research foundation (WCLRF) was established in March, 2003 with the efforts of a group of Afghan women lawyers. WCLRF is conducting different research and advocacy projects on women and children rights in Afghanistan. WCLRF does research on the causes of VAWG, advocates for the protection of women and children from violence through advocacy campaigns, and aims to raise the awareness of communities, government and civil society on VAWG.
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Women for Afghan Women (WAW)
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Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is a non-government women's human rights organization, founded in April 2001, which is dedicated to protecting the rights of Afghan women and girls. WAW is based in New York City and Kabul.
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Women's Research Institute for Peace and Security
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RIWPS was founded by Afghan women activists following the first Consultative Peace Jirga in Afghanistan during 2010, and was registered as an NGO in 2012. RIWPS advocates and lobbies on effective approaches to combat sexualized gender based violence and violence against women during conflict and propose mechanisms for protection of women from violence as a prerequisite of peace and security arrangements and agreements.
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Zardozi
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The Zardozi Markets for Afghan Artisans program which aims to provide poor and vulnerable women with training to learn a craft as well as the business management skills needed to turn that craft into a livelihood. Women come to Zardozi training centers to refine their skills as they practice their craft and take part in trainings that range from business management to literacy and accounting, equipping them with everything they need to build a successful business.
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