UN report says “long way to go” for Afghan women’s justice

It may take years before any major change in the plight of Afghan women can be witnessed says a new UN report, released yesterday. 

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report, comes in the aftermath of a series of abusive and violent acts against women across Afghanistan.  

With more than 261 interviews with judicial, police and government officials, the report sought to explore the outcome of the implementation of a new law supporting the equality and rights of Afghan women. However, the report showed that women are still repressed and often the target of abusive violence when refusing to compel to forced marriage or rape. 

Despite new laws implemented in the country three years ago, the report found: “There is a very long way to go before Afghan women are fully protected from violence.” 

Cultural pressure and fear are the main issues causing reluctance from Afghan women to expose their horrific conditions. According to the report, it is still unclear as to what extent domestic violence is occurring: “The number of cases of violence against women in Afghanistan are not available and most incidents are unreported,” it said.

In August 2009, the landmark Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW), introduced a law in Afghanistan criminalising child marriage, forced marriage and buying women for the purpose or under the pretext of marriage. 

Although some changes have been witnessed over the few years since, numerous cases have been highly reported in the media. Last month, a 16-year-old Afghan girl was beheaded after her dad turned down a marriage proposal on her behalf. 

The report itself came a day after the head of the women’s affairs department for the Eastern Laghman province of Afghanistan was reportedly shot dead by gunmen. 

Laetitia Woue

The full report can be viewed here: United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report