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Afghan women have confronted several decades of war, poverty and oppressive, often violent political rule. Before the Soviets, the Taliban, and al-Queda, Afghan women had the freedom to take part in the life of their country. Educated urban women held positions in medicine, business, education and the media, and worked in nearly all government ministries.(1)

Under the Taliban regime, which ruled from 1996 through 2001, women lost most of their freedom. They were not allowed to attend school, have a job, appear in public without a male relative or a burqa (head-to-toe covering), use cosmetics, play sports, wear bright colors or laugh loudly. Women’s access to medical care was reduced because they could not leave their homes alone and could only be treated by female doctors. Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate is still among the highest in the world.

Women now face the struggle of gaining a voice in the reconstruction of the country, following the 2001 invasion led by the U.S., Britain, and the Northern Alliance, as part of the “war on terrorism.” In January 2004, Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) adopted a new post-conflict constitution that many consider to be a turning point for women in the country. Two of the nine members of the Constitutional Drafting Committee and seven of the 35 members of the Constitutional Review Commission were women. In addition, of the voting delegates to the Constitutional Loya Jirga, more than 20% were women.(2) This participation by women in the peace process and the reconstruction of their country was unprecedented in a country dominated by conservative leaders and traditions.

The new constitution explicitly affirms that every Afghan citizen, male or female, has equal rights and duties before the law. It also reserves 25% of its seats in the lower house of Parliament for women, ensuring that Afghan women will have the right to vote and the opportunity to run for political office. In September, 2005, thousands of women risked their lives to vote for who will represent them in the Parliament. A record 62 women were elected to the Parliament. Click here to read more about 2005 Elections.

In spite of this progress, many challenges to women’s full and equal participation in society remain. Among these obstacles are security, gender inequity enforced by traditional practices, economic hardship and lack of employment opportunities, and access to education.(3)

Lack of security remains the most serious challenge facing Afghanistan and Afghan women today. Due to continued factional fighting and tribal rivalry, women’s movements, most notably in rural areas, are severely restricted, thus limiting their involvement in social and economic spheres. Conservative leaders use security concerns as justification for further repressing the rights of women and call for a return to Taliban-era monitoring of women’s movements, appearance and views.

Since the establishment of a post-conflict government, women have returned to work, but their lack of education and restrictions on movement have had a severe impact on their employment opportunities.(4) Currently, only 34% of those enrolled in primary school are girls, and 74% of girls drop out of school by the time they reach grade five. The picture is bleaker in rural provinces where only one out of 100 girls is enrolled in school.(5) Female illiteracy in Afghanistan has been estimated at 79%.(6)

Afghanistan’s emergence from 24 years of conflict and repression has led to significant positive changes in women’s lives. However, progress for women and girls will require continued support and vigilance by the international community, and dedication to the principles of equality set forth in the new constitution.

Sources:

1) US Dept. of State, International Information Programs, September 26, 2002, at http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/01102908.htm,
2) Enhancing Women’s Participation in Electoral Processes in Post-Conflict Countries, January 13, 2004, at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/29337.pdf.
3) Afghanistan: Focus on Women’s Status in Third Post-Conflict Year, April 20, 2004 at http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39910&SelectRegion=Central_Asia&SelectCountry=AFGHANISTAN.
4) The Situation of Women and Girls in Afghanistan: Report of the Secretary General, March 14, 2003, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/29337.pdf.
5) Report Card: Progress on Compulsory Education, March 2004, at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/pdfs/afghan_education_report.pdf.
6) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), World Fact Book, at http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbookindex.html., Estimate for 1999. 6 May 2003.