progress report on women‘s status and...

WOMEN‘S STATUS AND EMPOWERMENTPROGRESS REPORT ON

AND NATIONAL ACTION PLAN (NAP 1325)

Kabul, Afghanistan | 2016

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Any kind of discrimination and distinction between citizens of Afghanistan shall be forbidden. The citizens of Afghanistan, man and woman, have equal rights and duties before the law.

Article 22 of the Afghan Constitution

i | Women‘s Status and Empowerment

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TABLE OF CONTENTSPreamble

Significant achievements on women’s rights

Laws and policies

National institutions and structures

National Action Plan 1325

History

Development of the National Action Plan (NAP 1325)

Structure of the National Action Plan

Launching the National Action Plan

Implementation of the National Action Plan

Budget

Outcomes of the implementation of NAP 1325

1. Participation

2. Protection

3. Prevention

4. Relief and Recovery

Future programs and next steps

1

5

5

7

9

9

9

10

10

10

12

13

13

26

27

29

30

PREAMBLEFor more than three decades of imposed war, particularly during the Taliban regime Afghan women were deprived of their human rights. With the formation of a new political system in Afghanistan, a new chapter has been opened for the protection of women’s human rights. In fact, gender equality and women’s empowerment will provide inclusive and effective participation of women in state-building and the nation-building process. Therefore, strengthening political participation, women’s economic empowerment and access to opportunities constitute the most important priorities of the National Unity Government.

The National Unity Government has undertaken comprehensive programs to carry on with the previous government’s achievements in the field of women’s rights. The launch of the first National Action Plan (NAP 1325) by H.E. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and his overwhelming support for its implementation is one of the important issues of the National Policy for strengthening the role of Afghan women.

The unprecedented appointment of women in the country’s macro-management system, as ambassadors, ministers, deputy ministers and governors, as well as undertaking comprehensive programs for women’s empowerment in the areas of education, security sector, judicial power, public health service and protecting them against violence, signifies the firm commitment and will of the Afghan government towards strengthening and expanding essential change in women’s life, so that they can have an as important contribution in the development process of Afghanistan as men. However, the Afghan women are still facing numerous challenges such as poverty, violence and traditional culture, but the political commitment and practical actions of the National Unity Government in support of women is commendable. More importantly, the active participation and unparalleled support of Her Excellency Rula Ghani, the first lady of the country, for Afghan women is a turning point in the history of women’s advocacy movement and empowerment, as well as bringing about a brighter future for them.

01 | Women‘s Status and Empowerment

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“Our constitution binds us, the Afghan citizens, in reinforcing networks of rights and obligations. Reaffirming our commitment to the values and obligations of our sacred faith of Islam, chapter 2 not only enumerates the fundamental rights of the citizens but makes the states into the agency for realization of these universal rights. Our National Action Plan for meeting our commitments under UN Resolution 1325 is, therefore, a mechanism for ensuring the realization of the constitutional rights of Afghan women.”

“Transforming the lives of our women, youth and the poor through creation of equality of opportunity is the key objective of the Government of National Unity.”

“As my first constitutional duty is to uphold the constitutions, I pledge the wholehearted commitment of the government to realize the lofty of citizenship for all of our people, especially our women.”

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani


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WOMEN’S RIGHTSSIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS ON

One of Afghanistan’s national and international obligations is to promote and strengthen women’s rights and has so far undertaken necessary measures in the areas of legislation, policy-making, institution-building and operations. The most important measures are as follows:

Laws and policiesArticle 22 of the Afghan constitution stipulates: “Any kind of discrimination and distinction between citizens of Afghanistan shall be forbidden. The citizens of Afghanistan, man and woman, have equal rights and duties before the law.”

• Approval of law on violence against women • National Action Plan for Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) (2008 – 2018)• Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS)• Codification of family law • Adoption of regulation for the protection centers • Development of procedures to prevent discrimination • Policy to increase girls’ enrollment in schools • Law on guardianship of orphaned children • Policy to strengthening the role of women in economic spheres • Procedure for the prevention of discrimination • Amendment of some of the provisions in the Civil Servants Law in favor of women • National Strategy for Elimination of Violence against Women and its implantation plan• Modification of Electoral Law with a view to gender equality (National Unity Government)• Adoption of regulation for the prevention of sexual harassment (National Unity Government)• Policy to improve female prisoner’s access to justice (National Unity Government)


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National institutions and structures

Ministry of Women’s Affairs

• Independent Human Rights Commission,• High Commission and Commissions for the elimination of violation against women which

have been increased in 34 provinces over the past two years, • Special Courts to combat violence against women at primary level, appellate and Supreme

court , • According to the plan establishing courts for elimination of violation against women in 26

provinces till October and increase them in 34 provinces until the end of December, • Special Prosecution Office on elimination of violence against women which has been

increased to 33 provinces over the past two years, • Gender unit in 51 organizations including ministries and government administrations, • Establishment of gender committee and women affairs for political empowerment of

women in society, • Establishment of commission for prohibition of sexual harassment in government

administrations according to the regulation for the prevention of sexual harassment, • Establishment of 27 protection centers in 20 provinces to deal with women victims of

violence, • Creation of Legal Assistance Centers in 34 provinces, • Establishment of Association of Women judges, • Women Bar Association, • There are 184 family response units in the provincial capitals and districts, of which 16 units

operate in Kabul and 168 units operate in provinces, • Trust Fund to deal with acute cases of violence against women, • Creation of a division to address cases of violence against women in the judiciary (National

Unity Government), • Creation of a department to combat violence against women within the Attorney General’s

Office (National Unity Government),• Establishment of gender office within the structure of judiciary to oversee the recruitment

of females in the judiciary system (National Unity Government),• Adoption of the regulation for the prevention of sexual harassment of women by the council

of ministers (National Unity Government), • Women diplomat association to strengthen women diplomat capacity (National Unity

Government), • A special commission to investigate cases of female prisoners (National Unity Government), • Creation of Cancer Foundation for women (National Unity Government),


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ACTION PLAN 1325 History On October 31st 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted the historic Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security. This resolution is one of the most important international instruments that support the effective participation of women in conflict processes.

The United Nations member states have obligations to take necessary measures to implement the provisions of UNSCR 1325. So far, more than 65 UN member states have developed their National Action Plan (NAP).

Women as a vulnerable part of society have not only become victims of armed conflict, but also their role has significantly been ignored in the process of preventing and managing conflicts. With a deep understanding of the fundamental roots of conflicts in Afghanistan and optimal use of the experiences of other countries in conflict, there is an urgent need for the Afghan society to adopt an inclusive and participatory approach in the prevention policy processes and conflict management. Thus, the use of resolution guidelines is not only to fulfill its international obligations, but it creates a new space for effective participation of women in peace processes, security and development

Development of the National Action Plan (NAP 1325) The purpose of the development of the National Action Plan is to recognize the effectiveness of strengthening gender equality and women empowerment in Afghanistan. The Government of Afghanistan has started the development process of the National Action Plan on (UNSCR 1325) in 2013 with the creation of an inter-ministerial mechanism, and cooperation of civil society and the international community.

Moreover, the provincial programs have been held at the country level in order to raise awareness, exchange ideas and get people’s views, particularly Afghan women, local government, civil society, human rights activists and women’s rights defenders, and victims of armed conflicts. In order to make use of other countries experiences pertaining to the implementation of (NAP 1325), the members of the Steering and Technical Committees have visited a number of countries.

NATIONAL


Structure of the National Action PlanThe National Action Plan (NAP 1325) has four main pillars: Participation, Protection, Prevention and Relief and Recovery, as well as 39 indicators and 25 strategic objectives. The implementation of NAP 1325 has been predicted for eight years.

Launching the National Action Plan

The NAP 1325 on women, peace and security is one of the significant achievements of the National Unity Government (NUG), which was officially launched by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, on Jun 30, 2015 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The President categorically supported this document as one of the Afghan government’s budgetary documents for women’s empowerment and participation in peace and security processes. (Photo)

Implementation of the National Action PlanThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the coordinating body for the implementation of the NAP 1325. A clear division of responsibilities between different ministries and agencies is very important to implement the NAP 1325. For this purpose, the implementing agencies have been divided into two categories: 1) lead implementing agencies, and 2) supporting agencies.

In order to ensure the successful implementation of the NAP 1325, the implementing agencies should prioritize their activities and indicators in their implementation plans.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with UN Women Afghanistan Country Office and Afghan Women’s Network held numerous programs for launching the National Action Plan, as well as awareness and advisory programs for the implementing agencies in Kabul and six zones (27 provinces).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has developed two documents guiding the implementation phase, i.e. the “Implementation Plan” and the “Monitoring and Evaluation Plan”, which have been approved by the Steering Committee.

Appreciating the commitment of the National Unity Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes that in order to ensure the successful implementation of the NAP 1325, it should be included in the national priority programs of the government.

Reporting mechanism All lead and supporting implementing agencies will be responsible for reporting on their assigned activities, progress and implementation challenges on an annual basis to MoFA. MoFA will compile the reports and submit them to the Steering Committee for approval. After approval, the report will be submitted to the international community.

The annual reporting will address the activities implemented, financing allocated, disbursed and spent, progress made, challenges encountered, and suggestions to improve the implementation. In addition to the annual reporting mechanism, a mid-term and final review will be conducted by a team of experts.

To ensure uniform and consistent reporting of high quality, MoFA has designed a specific template for the annual reporting, as well as held capacity building and consultation programs on the importance and modality of reporting for 60 representatives of implementing agencies in collaboration with UN WOMEN. Subsequently, the coordination team of MoFA has conducted separate interviews with the representatives of the implementing agencies to get further and reliable information.

A separate Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan is designed, which covers annual monitoring reports and mid-term review (after two years) and final review (Evaluation) in the fourth year.

Monitoring the NAP implementation in the provinces requires creating a working and monitoring network composed of representatives of the relevant ministries with the governor of each province as the head of this network who can coordinate the implementation and monitoring at the provincial level to report to the Steering committee on an annual basis. The Steering Committee will analyze, coordinate and incorporate the reports of the provinces and submit it to the international community.


Budget

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and implementing agencies of the NAP 1325 evaluated the activities of implementing agencies and finalized the estimated budget of NAP 1325, which is about US $ 51.5 million. Hence, US $11.8 million of which will be funded by the government and it is the aspiration that US $ 39.6 million could be funded by the international community.

MoFA and Ministry of Finance have brought up the estimated budget in a joined meeting with the representatives of donor agencies to gain the support of the international community to fund US $ 39.6 million.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has developed a draft for “Financial Mechanism of the National Action Plan 1325”, and predicted a participatory mechanism in it.

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NAP 1325 The experience of other countries that are in their second and third round of NAP 1325

implementation also indicates that the success of implementation of the NAP is a time consuming

process that requires time and periodic review.

Afghanistan’s National Action Plan has four strategic pillars to improve women’s status in the areas

of legislation, policy, creating institutions and structures, and public mindset. The outcomes are as

follows:

1. Participation Participation of women in decision-making level is necessary for building peaceful and developed Afghanistan. One of the strategic aims of the NAP 1325 is to strengthen women’s participation in civil service. Procedures for civil service appointments have been evaluated and reviewed, in which two important issues have been incorporated in it to increase the presence of women: Presence of a gender representative as a member of the recruitment committee and special privilege (5 additional score) for female candidates in the recruitment committee.

According to information provided by the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission, 22 % of women are in Civil Service and considering the government’s commitment this figure should increase to 30 %. A lot of efforts have been exerted in this area, which are as follows:

Women’s participation in the Security sector:

Inclusion of women in Afghanistan’s security forces is a great achievement. In 2001, the presence of women in the security sector was 2% and has increased to 5% in 2016. The government is trying to recruit more women in the security sector.

Police• Out of 150,000 police about 3,300 women are serving in the civil-military section of the

Ministry of Interior Affairs, out of which 2,850 women in the military section and 450 in the civil section,

OUTCOMES OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF


• Presence of 30 women within the Ministry of Interior Affairs leadership and its units, • Deployment of 390 female students to Turkey for professional trainings.

National Army• Out of 195,000 of Afghan National Army 1,400 are women, • Recruitment of 276 women within Military Training Centers of the Ministry of Defense, • Participation of 180 women volunteers in the military training programs in India, • Enrolment of 90 female officials of the Ministry of Defense in Dunya University for

undergraduate program, • Deployment of 109 female staff to Turkey for military training for a period of four months.

Total Women

Police 150,000 3,300

National Army 195,000 1,400

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Women’s participation in the Peace and Reintegration Process:

The Government recognize that sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan cannot be build by half of population, it can only be achieved through a participatory process where both men and women are active participant in peace building and peace process.

One of the objectives of the NAP 1325 is to increase women’s participation in the peace process. A fundamental structure established by GIRoA to facilitate the peace process is the High Peace Council (HPC). Women’s participation in the High Peace Council is a big achievement of the government. President Ashraf Ghani strongly recognizes the women’s rights and emphasized in his speeches that “women’s rights shall not be compromised for peace.”

We have witnessed reforms in the structure and composition of the new leadership and members of HPC.• A woman as a deputy of the HPC, • Three women as consultant, • Out of 71 members of HPC 11 of them are women• Promotion of women’s leadership in the center and provinces from 11 to 22 %.


Women’s participation in elected bodies:

One of the strategic objectives of the NAP 1325 is the existence of supportive laws and policies to increase the number of women candidates and ensure their security within national and provincial elections. In 2014, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) has reviewed and amended numerous elections’ instruments, as well as drafted a reform document on Technical reforms and operating activities for Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) and districts’ council elections to ensure the safe participation of women and then submitted the draft to the President’s Office. • 69 female members of Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) out of 249 (27.8 %)• 27 female members of the Upper House out of 102 (26%)• 269 female representatives of the Provincial Council out of 2591 (33.8%)

Provincial council

Wolesi Jirga (Lower House)

Upper House

Number of women 296 69 27

Total 2,591 249 102

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Women’s participation in the Civil Service:

Women’s participation in all government institutions is an important objective of the Afghan government program related to women, peace and security. It is expected that from 2018-2020 the number of women in the government posts will increase to approximately 22 %.

Leadership:

Office of the President • 122 female staff are working in the Administrative Office of the President, previously the

figure was 32, • Establishment of Advisory Board of elite women with the composition of 30 members.

Office of the Chief Executive: • 29 female staff in the Office of the Chief Executive

Cabinet: • Four female ministers, previously there was three female minister, • Eight deputy minister, previously there were three,

Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG): • One female governor; • 22 women at the leadership of IDLG;

Executive levels: • 23 women in first grade and 144 women in second grade

32

122

Women in President Office


Ministry of Foreign Affairs • One female Deputy Minister • Four female Ambassadors • One female Director • One female General Consular • One female Minister Consular• One female Consular• Totally there are 1,408 staff, out of which 114 women, 53 in the center and 58 in the

diplomatic and consular missions, and 3 in the provincial agencies.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Total staff 1408

Four female Ambassadors

female staff 114

One Female Director

One female Minister Consular

One Deputy Minister

One female General Consular

One female Consular

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Ministry of Higher Education • One female Minister,• 1,925 female students in the government higher education institutions, • 18 % of women are working in the public educational institutions, • 14 % of female faculty in the government universities, • 9 % of female faculty in the private universities,• Opening of a specific educational institution for women in the name of Mora in Kabul.

Private University - Female Students

Private University - Female Lecturers

Government University - Female Students

Government University - Female Lecturers


Ministry of Education • 170,000 female teachers in that composes 33 % of teachers in schools, • 16,900 schools throughout Afghanistan, • 10,000 female schools, • Female staff compose 28 % of the Ministry of Education staff,• Inclusion of an individual as representative of women in the composition of the High and

Academic Councils of Higher Education Institutions in accordance with approval of cabinet meeting of 26 August 2015,

• The number of students reached to more than 9 million in 2015 and girls made up 40 % of all students,

• The total number of employees of the Ministry of Education are more than 92,000 people, • 78 % of women are engaged in lessons in Kabul city,

Ministry of Information and Culture • One Deputy position, three directors and seven head of departments, • Female employees in center and provinces 271 (21.12%), • Presence of 21 % of women in media outlets,

Culture, Media and Sport • Four young girls are music orchestra conductors • There are hundreds of female athletes representing Afghanistan at the international level, • For the first time in Afghanistan’s history, Afghan girls attended the 2014 Olympic Games

in London, • In February 2016, Afghan female athletes won gold medals in South Asia competitions, • Currently, 1,303 girls are involved in sports in Afghanistan.

One Deputy position, three directors and seven head of departments

Female employees in center and provinces 271 (21.12%)

Presence of 21 percent of women in media outlets

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Ministry of Public Health • One female Deputy Minister;• Twelve women at the leadership level;• Presence of 20.6 % of women in health sector; • Throughout Afghanistan 3,700 women are engaged in medical activities

Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD) • One female Ministers; • One female Deputy Minister;• Out of 6,797 employees, 2,865 are male and 3,932 are female • During the last two years 446 female employees have been recruited

One female Deputy Minister

Twelve women at the leadership level

Presence of 20,6 % of women in health sector

Throughout Afghanistan 3700 women are engaged in

medical activities

Establishment of (ACF)

One female Ministers and one female Deputy Minister

Out of 6797 employees, 2865 are male and 3932 are female

During the last two years 446 female employees have been

recruited


Ministry of Women’s Affairs • One female Minister; • Two deputy Ministers • 34 provincial directors • Women constitute 84 % of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs leadership • Out of 374 employees, 175 are women.

One Female Minister

Two female deputy ministers

Out of 374 employees, 175 of them are women

34 provincial directors

Women constitute 84 % of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs

leadership

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Independent Election Commission (IEC) • Out of 6,892,816 voters, women constituted 36 % of voters, • Out of 2,591 provincial council candidates, women constituted 12 % of candidates.

Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC)• There are 34 women at the leadership of (IARCSC)

Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of Constitution• One woman as a member

Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC)There are 34 women at the leadership of (IARCSC)

Independent Election Commission (IEC):Out of 6892816 voters, women constituted 36 % of voters,

Out of 2591 provincial council candidates, women constituted 12 % of candidates.

Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of Constitution one woman as a member


Women Participation in Judicial System:

Judiciary • Introduction of a woman as a member of the Supreme Court to the Parliament to obtain a

vote of confidence, • Appointment of a women as head of Kabul Appellate Court,• Appointment of a woman as head of appellate court, dealing with serious crimes of

corruption, • Appointment of two women as members of the Primary Court, dealing with serious crimes

of corruption, • Presence of women in judiciary was about 4.7 % in 2008, in 2013 it was 8.4 %, and in 2016 it

is 11 %,• Out of 1,948 judges, there are 1,732 male judges and 241 female judges, and 40 female stagers

who will finish Stage course soon,• The Juvenile court, family court and court of violence against women are administered by

female judges.

Presence of women in judiciary was about 4.7 % in 2008, in 2013 it was 8.4 %, and in

2016 it is 11 %

Appointment of two women as a member of the Primary Court, dealing with serious

crimes of corruption

Introduction of a woman as a member of the Supreme Court to the Parliament to

obtain a vote of confidence

Appointment of a woman as head of appellate court, dealing with serious

crimes of corruption

Out of 1948 judges, there are 1732 male judges and 241 female judges

Transparency of courts’ decisions is one of the preventive objectives of the NAP towards eliminating culture of impunity

Appointment of a women as head of Kabul Appellate Court

The Juvenile court, family court and court of violence against women are

administered by female judges

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Attorney General’s Office (AGO) • Appointment of a woman as Deputy Head of Counter Violence against Women Prosecution

Office,• Appointment of a women as secretary of Attorney General, • There are 20 women at the leadership of AGO, • Provincial prosecutors (37.9 %), • In 2013, there were 120 female prosecutors (6 %), • In 2016 out of 1,836 prosecutors, 142 are female (7.7 %). • Gender equality is considered in recruitment process,• Female prosecutors will be recruited in all 34 provinces in 2017,

Appointment of a woman as Deputy Head of Counter Violence against Women Prosecution Office

Provincial prosecutors (37.9 %)

There are 20 women at the leadership of AGO

In 2016 out of 1836 prosecutors, 142 are female (7.7 %)

Appointment of a women as secretary of Attorney General

In 2013, there were 120 female prosecutors (6 %)


2. Protection Protection of women against all forms of violence is one of the most important pillars of the NAP 1325 and a priority of the National Unity Government. Access to justice and an effective justice system are the main pillars of protection. The Afghan government’s achievements in this area are as follows:

• Enforcement of Law on Preventing Violence against Women;• Adoption of regulation for the prevention of sexual harassment by National Unity

Government in September 2015;• Establishment of a division to deal with violence against women within Afghanistan’s

courts;• Establishment of Association of Women Judges; • Existence of 241 women judges in the judiciary system play an important role towards

ensuring women’s access to justice in the country; • According to statistics issued by the government’s departments, 5,729 cases of violence

against women have been registered, out of which 1,192 cases have been finalized and 3,523 cases are under consideration;

• According to the plan of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, the assigned delegation of this ministry monitors the human rights status of women in prisons on a monthly and quarterly basis, and address their human rights violations and harassment. Last year, totally 19 cases of sexual violence and 23 family cases were investigated by the Ministry of Interior Affairs;

• One of the strategic objectives of the NAP 1325 is to provide psychological support, health and social care for victims of violence through the provision of health services. These services were increased in Nangarhar and Parwan provinces Last year;

• National Strategy for Elimination of Violence against Women and its implementation plan (National Unity Government);

• Modification of Electoral Law with a view to gender equality (National Unity Government)• Adoption of regulation for the prevention of sexual harassment (National Unity Government)• Policy to improve female prisoner’s access to justice (National Unity Government)

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3. Prevention • The elimination of the culture of impunity is one of the objectives of the NAP 1325 to

prevent violence against women. Monitoring mechanism of the courts in the judicial system of Afghanistan enables a measure of continuing oversight over trial proceedings. This can be conducted by the heads of the relevant courts;

• Supervision of the upper court from the lower court based on complaints; • In terms of crimes of violence against women, the courts for violence against women are

being conducted in three stages; • Another way to monitor the activities of courts is through judicial inspection;• One of the effective approaches to prevent violence and other human rights violations is

to undertake awareness programs and capacity-building of institutions responsible for the protection of women;

• The government institutions have held numerous workshops on awareness programs in the center and provinces;

• One of the objectives of prevention is to protect women from all forms of violence and discrimination through raising public awareness and information. Participation of young men and religious leaders is very effective in this regard. The Ministry of Education has a total of 14,497 councils of schools across the country that consist of parents, teachers, Imams, educationists and students, whose main duties are to fight violence against women;

• Over the past years media outlets have played a significant role in terms of public awareness in order to prevent the occurrence of violence against women. In fact, sixteen-day advocacy campaigns on the eve of the celebration of International Women’s Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women are the outstanding example of this.

• Transparency of courts’ decisions is one of the preventive objectives of the NAP 1325 to eliminate the culture of impunity. This includes three stages of trial and implementation of regulations and procedures on judicial conducts;

• The Independent Human Rights Commission is also involved in the process of overseeing the implementation of EVAW Law;

• The Women’s Council has recently been established in the Ministry of Defense and independent units of MoD. Furthermore, an incentive procedure has been undertaken for those women who are newly recruited in the Afghan National Army. This includes honorary medals, certificates and extraordinary promotions for military personnel;

• Establishment of gender committee and women affairs for political empowerment of women in society;


• Special Courts to combat violence against women at primary level, appellate and Supreme court;

• According to the plan establishing courts for elimination of violence against women in 26 provinces till October and increase them to 34 provinces by the end of December;

• Special Prosecution Office on elimination of violation against women has been increased to 33 provinces over the past two years;

• Trust Fund to deal with acute cases of violence against women;• Creation of a division to address cases of violence against women in the judiciary (National

Unity Government); • Creation of a department to combat violence against women within the Attorney General

Office (National Unity Government);• Establishment of gender office within the structure of judiciary to oversee the recruitment

of female judges in the judiciary system (National Unity Government);• Adoption of the regulation for the prevention of sexual harassment of women by the council

of ministers (National Unity Government);• Women diplomat association to strengthen women diplomat capacity (National Unity

Government); • A special commission to investigate cases of female prisoners (National Unity Government);• Creation of Cancer Foundation for women (National Unity Government).

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4. Relief and Recovery • The strategic objective of relief and recovery in the NAP 1325 is to integrate and include

government programs to meet the needs of women for creation of funding mechanism, economic development opportunities and provision of relief and recovery services;

• In 2015, 5108 employees, teachers and students have participated in different workshops titled gender, prevention of sexual harassment, EVAW Law, early marriages, gender leadership and women’s rights in Islam;

• Increasing economic immunity for vulnerable women is one of the strategic objectives of relief & recovery of the NAP 1325 in which the government pays serious attention to hire female graduates from universities. In this context, the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission has launched four campaigns with the participation of 300 people in Badakhshan and Kapisa provinces, as well as in private universities including Tabish and Dawat to raise awareness of the career opportunities for female graduates;

• The implementation of Policy provisions for Internally Displaced People (IDP) is one of the strategic objectives of the NAP 1325 and the government has implemented drastic measures in this regard;

• The government has increased the number of family support centers whose advisors have been trained in the field of psycho-social counseling and the Case Workers have been trained for mediation. Currently, the psycho-social counseling services and capacity building of staff are being provided in the family support centers in 12 provinces. In addition, the treatment protocol for victims of violence is being implemented in seven provinces in collaboration with World Health Organization, which includes Balkh, Bamyan, Badakhshan, Herat, Kabul and Nangarhar.


Future programs and next steps • The future programs and activities for the implementation of the NAP 1325 is to further

strengthen political will and support in terms of providing financial, human and technical resources.

• Successful implementation of NAP 1325 requires the long-term commitment of the President’s Office that plays a significant role through issuing necessary instructions to the implementing agencies.

• Also urgent attention is needed to support the recruitment and strengthen the capacity of professionals in the Coordination Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Strengthening institutions to implement the NAP 1325;• Strengthening media awareness on NAP 1325; • Bolstering vocational and technical skills based on market demands;• Launching conferences and programs to shore up peace processes;• Political participation of women in local administration including provinces, municipalities

and sub-districts; • Enhancing women’s widespread participation within Afghan National Security Forces;• Creation of special programs for strengthening gender responsive budgeting; • Strengthening capacities in the areas of accounting and management of hospitals;• Raising the educational level of women;• Planning to reduce violence against women in the family and society; • Special programs that support women and youth enterprises in different spheres;• Enhancing women’s capacity in relation to knowledge of negotiation and conflict resolution

and violence;• Preparing the ground for women’s appointment in provinces and districts, as well as

strengthening capacity and providing social protection services through the implementation of incentive programs (medical insurance, accommodation);

• Appointment of a female prosecutor in each province by end of 2016; • Reviewing the penal code based on a principle of positive discrimination for women; • Enhancing financial resources to implement IDP policy (especially regarding women); • Elimination of a culture of impunity and ensuring punishment for the perpetrators of

violence; • Establishment of standardized prisons with medical centers, and regulation of female police

officers in provincial prisons.

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22 leadership of IDLG

29 female staff in the Office of the Chief Executive

ONE female governor

23 women in first grade

144 women in second grade

Office of the Chief Executive:

Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG)

Office of the President:

Executive levels:

Establishment of

Advisory Board of

elite women with

the composition

of 30 members.

122 female staff are working in

the Administrative Office of the

President, previously the figure

was 32

Leadership

Eight deputy minister previously three

Cabinet:

Four female ministers

previously three female minister

Afghan National PoliceFor every female officer there are 45 male officers

Afghan National Army For every female officer there are 139 male officers

Higher EducationMinistry of

Opening of a specific educational institution

for women in the name of Mora in Kabul

1,925 female students

in the government higher education

ONE female Minister

170,000 female teachers in that composes 33% of

teachers in schools

Female staff compose 28% of the Ministry of Education staff

78% of women are engaged in teaching

in Kabul city

16,900 schools throughout Afghanistan

10,000 female schools

EducationMinistry of

Introduction of a woman as a member of the Supreme Court to the Parliament to obtain a vote of confidence

Presence of women in judiciary was about 4.7% in 2008, in 2013 it was 8.4% and in 2016 it is 11%

Appointment of two women as a member of the Primary Court, dealing with serious crimes of corruption

The Juvenile court, family court and court of violence against women are administered by female judges

Twelve women at the leadership level

ONE female Deputy Minister

Judicial System

Public Health

Women Participation in

Ministry of

Four young girls are music orchestra

conductors

There are hundreds of female athletes

representing Afghanistan at the international level

Currently, 1,303 girls are involved in sports in Afghanistan

Presence of 20.6% of women in health sector

Throughout Afghanistan 3,700 women are

engaged in medical activities

Culture, Media and Sport

Islamic Republic of AfghanistanMinistry of Foreign Affairs

www.kabulwomensymposium.af

progress report on women‘s status and...

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