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Survey Report | December 2015
MEDIA MESSAGING
AND ITS IMPACT ON
AFGHAN WOMEN
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 5
METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Sampling ............................................................................................................................................... 9
Respondents Selection ........................................................................................................................ 10
Project Challenges and Risk ................................................................................................................ 10
Survey Questionnaires ......................................................................................................................... 10
Training of Interviewers ...................................................................................................................... 11
Quality Control .................................................................................................................................... 11
Focus Groups ....................................................................................................................................... 12
DETAILED FINDINGS ..................................................................................................................................... 13
SECTION A: MEDIA CONSUMPTION ................................................................................................................ 13
Main source of information ................................................................................................................ 13
Most popular means of advertisement ............................................................................................... 18
SECTION B: CONCERNS ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ................................................................................ 20
Top Issue concerns .............................................................................................................................. 20
Concerns Over Violence ....................................................................................................................... 21
Prevalence of Violence ........................................................................................................................ 22
SECTION C: PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ......................................................................... 23
Importance of equality for women ..................................................................................................... 23
Prevalence of type of violence............................................................................................................. 24
Perception of perpetrators and victims of violence ............................................................................ 24
General attitudes toward women ....................................................................................................... 26
SECTION D: AWARENESS OF SERVICES ............................................................................................................. 28
Awareness of Services ......................................................................................................................... 28
SECTION E: PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION ................................................................................................... 30
Prevention Strategies .......................................................................................................................... 30
Intervention ......................................................................................................................................... 33
CONCLUSIONS.............................................................................................................................................. 34
ANNEXES ...................................................................................................................................................... 35
ANNEX A: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE ................................................................................................................ 35
ANNEX B: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ........................................................................................... 48
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Charts and Figures
FIGURE 1 – RANKING USE OF ALL MEDIA ............................................................................................................................... 13 FIGURE 2 – WHICH SOURCE DO YOU RELY ON FOR INFORMATION AFFECTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? .............................................. 14 FIGURE 3 - HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE ALL MEDIA ON DAILY BASIS? .............................................................................................. 15 FIGURE 4 - WHEN DO YOU USUALLY WATCH TV AND LISTEN TO THE RADIO? ................................................................................ 16 FIGURE 5 - RAKING FAVORITE TYPE OF PROGRAMMING ............................................................................................................ 17 FIGURE 6 - DO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA? ................................................................................................................................ 17 FIGURE 7 - WHICH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM DO YOU USE THE MOST? ........................................................................................ 18 FIGURE 8 - WHICH ADVERTISING AFFECTS YOU THE MOST? (SUMMARY OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE/EFFECTIVE) ....................................... 19 FIGURE 9 - RANKING MOST PREFERRED MEDIUM FOR GETTING MESSAGES (SUMMARY OF MOST PREFERRED/PREFERRED)...................... 19 FIGURE 10 PERCEPTION OF MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN ....................................................................... 21 FIGURE 11 CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE ................................................................................................................................... 22 FIGURE 12 PERCEPTION OF CHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE............................................................................................. 23 FIGURE 13 PERCEPTION OF EQUALITY OF RIGHTS ..................................................................................................................... 23 FIGURE 14 PERCEPTION OF THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF VIOLENCE ........................................................................................... 24 FIGURE 15 - PERCEPTIONS OF THE MOST COMMON PERPETRATOR ............................................................................................. 25 FIGURE 16 - PERCEPTION OF PERVALANCE OF VIOLENCE ........................................................................................................... 26 FIGURE 17 - ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN ............................................................................................................................ 27 FIGURE 18 - SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE/INFORMATION .............................................................................................................. 28 FIGURE 19 - IF YOU BECOME VICTIM OF VIOLENCE WHO WOULD YOU APPROACH? ......................................................................... 29 FIGURE 20 - PERCEPTION OF THE ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN IMPROVING WOMEN'S RIGHTS ............................................................ 31 FIGURE 21 - PERCEPTION OF DIFFERENT FACTIORS IN IMPROVING WOMEN'S RIGHTS ...................................................................... 32 FIGURE 22 - PERCEPTION OF THE ROLE OF MEDIA .................................................................................................................... 33 FIGURE 23 - INTERVENTION ................................................................................................................................................ 33
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT Cooperation for Peace and Unity does not endorse the views of any particular community but seeks to provide a platform through which the communities can engage one another and explore ways of addressing their issues. We would like to thank the US Embassy in Kabul especially Judith Spanberger, Stephanie Kuck, and the Public Affairs Section team for their support and funding of this project. The author also thanks the CPAU management team, in particular, Tawab Neyazi, Idrees Zaman and Kanishka Nawabi for their support. The author also acknowledges CPAU’s partner, TriVision, and the support received from Sulaiman Lutfi, Tabasum Lutfi, Imran Khowaja and the rest of the team from TriVision. We also wish to acknowledge Khwaga Kakar for her input in developing the research methodology. The author would like to thank CPAU and TriVision including their field and HQ staff for their extraordinary work in the field and their great support in organizing the survey processes. The author would like to acknowledge the efforts of CPAU’s staff including Saifuddin Ayubzai and Afzal Khan for their leading role in the data collection and translation process and Nazi Sahil for compiling notes during the field interviews. Finally, CPAU wants to express gratitude to all the individuals who donated their time and attended this survey, gave lengthy interviews and shared their personal stories with us. We acknowledge the role of the community members, government officials, regional experts, and other individuals who shared their knowledge and experiences with us. Best Regard, Mustafa Aria Copies of this paper can be downloaded from www.afghanwomenrights.com , www.cpau.org.af
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY There are many influences on how men and women are viewed but the most prevalent and powerful is
the role of media in its many forms. Inserted in daily lives and in the social fabric of society in general,
media suggests messages into our consciousness at every turn. Different forms of media convey images
of the sexes, many of which propagate unrealistic, stereotypical, and limiting perceptions. Women are
generally underrepresented which misleadingly insinuates that men are the cultural standard and women
are not important. Secondly, men and women are depicted in stereotypical ways that expose and sustain
socially endorsed views of gender. Finally, these reflections of relationships between men and women
highlight traditional roles and normalize violence against women.
The following provides an overview of the results of the Media Messaging Survey conducted by CPAU as
part of a joint project with TriVision. We interviewed approximately 294 people (women = 114, women
politicians = 59, men = 121) in five major cities of five provinces across the country – Kabul, Balkh,
Jalalabad, Kandahar and Herat. The results are based on face-to-face interviews and 10 focus group
discussions. Below are some of the key findings described in the sections that follow.
Media Consumption
Television remains the most popular medium in all provinces surveyed and among the different groups of
respondents. It is also the most preferred source of information, followed by Radio. A great majority of
the population watches TV on a daily basis. More than half of the population spends between 1-2 hours
a day in front of a television. Women are more likely to watch television on a daily basis, while men are
more likely to spend more time in front of a television at one time.
The use of internet is increasingly becoming
popular in Afghanistan. It is a close second
to television, but internet users are
spending fewer hours a day online. Women
politicians are found to be the most
frequent users of internet. With television
and internet dominating media use habits,
radio is found to be falling in popularity
among the population.
News, current affairs, political and
economic debates are the most preferred
genre in media programming, particularly
on television and radio. Surprisingly, the use
of media as a source of entertainment is found to be the least common habit among the population. The
use of internet is an exception in this case. Majority of Internet users confirmed it as a source for social
networking, mainly the social network site Facebook.
6
Consistent with its popularity and use, television is the most preferred platform for advertising and media
messaging, followed by radio and the Internet. Print media still remains a preferred medium, with
newspapers, posters and billboards topping the list. Getting messages through cell phones was ranked
the least preferred medium. Majority of responds found cell phone messaging either intrusive or indicated
that they do not pay attention to it.
Concerns about violence
In the shadow of the recent surge in security related violence, economic recession and growing
unemployment, it is not surprising that issues of violence against women is not the top concern for the
majority of the survey respondents. However, violence against women was ranked the fourth most
important issue of concern among women.
When respondents were asked to rank
the most important issue that women
face in Afghanistan, discrimination
(70%), male dominance (70%) and
gender abuse (65%) were among the
top five. While there was no
differences among respondents on the
importance of security; access to
education (80%) and lack of family
support (64%) ranked among the top
five most important issues for women.
The respondents also reported high
levels of concern about violence
against women (98%) and child abuse (82%). While no significant difference was observed among all group
on these measures, women in general were found to be more concerned than men about elderly abuse
and violence against the disabled.
The survey also measured the perception of the population in relation to the prevalence of violence
compared to 3-5 years ago. Although respondents remain divided on this measure – an equal portion
(35%) reported that they were either facing less violence or did not face less violence – women are more
likely to to report that the amount of violence against them did not decrease.
Public perception of violence against women
Top-of-mind perception of the type of violence against women are: rape (43%), physical abuse (32%),
sexual assault (17%). Overall the respondents perceive that a stranger is generally the most common
perpetrator of violence against women, followed by armed groups and powerful people in the community.
Women are more likely to believe that her family (i.e. husband/fiancé, and in-laws) is the most common
perpetrator of violence. Furthermore, belief remains quite strong in the prevalence of violence against
7
women in low-income households (80%), and to widows and orphan girls (76%) and women with non-
traditional views about the role of women and men in the society (74%). Also, educated women are
perceived to be less likely to face violence compared to illiterate women. This sentiment is quite strong
among women respondents.
General attitudes toward women
While an overwhelming majority of respondents, agree that women should have equal rights compared
to men, it appears that the population continues to maintain more traditional attitudes and values
surrounding the role of women in the society.
The public strongly believes that a woman needs the
permission of her partner, if she wants to go and visit
her relatives and friends (75%) and that it is a woman’s
duty to obey her partner (75%). Few of the
respondents believe that it is acceptable for women to
work outside the home even if the family does not
need the money (43% strongly agree). Even fewer
respondents strongly agree that violence between
couples is a private matter and should be handled
within the family (36%).
Women’s views tend to be less in line with the general population on some measures. Specifically, women
are more likely to disagree that physical violence among couples is a private matter. They also agree that
a woman has the right to express her opinion even if she disagrees with her partner.
Awareness of Services
The survey respondents are most aware of police (42%) and
department of women affairs (40%) as a source of information
and assistance to women and women with children who are
abused. When respondents were asked specifically if they knew
who would they turn to if they were victimized, half said they
would go to their families. Police and department of women
affairs were also most commonly cited. Men are twice as likely
as women to turn to their families for assistance. In contrast,
women are more likely than men to turn to the department of
women affairs and to go to women shelters. Women politicians
however have more faith in police than the other two groups of
the respondents.
8
Prevention and Intervention
The view of the majority of respondents remains that more public education is required to address the
problem of violence against women. Other suggestions include raising awareness, and stricter
enforcement of the laws.
The responses also indicate a very strong support for the government to take
an active role in promoting women’s rights. They also indicated a very positive
role for media (86%). Supporting male siblings and awareness of rights
completes the top of the list. Fewer believe that their elected representatives
and community councils can play an important role.
Women are more likely to hold the belief that having a job approved by the
family and financial independence can have a significant impact on improving
women’s rights.
A large majority of individuals believe that they should personally intervene and try and stop an act if they
witnessed an incidence of violence against women. This indicates lack of trust and confidence in public
institutions.
The detailed findings from the study can be found in the following pages.
9
METHODOLOGY
SAMPLING The survey was conducted in five selected cities and in five different provinces (Table 1). The exact location
of districts within the cities was selected in consultation with the research team based on the security
considerations and the concentration of the population.
CPAU/TriVision conducted fieldwork for the survey in October, 2015 by a team of 10 trained
interviewers and five supervisors. The survey consisted of in-person interviews with a random,
representative sampling method.
TABLE 1 - SURVEY RESPONDENTS SAMPLING
The sample for the survey was mixed; representatives of women, women politicians and men were
interviewed. Forty percent of the respondents were women and 40 percent men, selected randomly from
households located in the cities. The rest, 20 % of the women politician respondents- was selected using
a snowball method in each province.
1. Women (114 surveys);
2. Men (121 surveys); and
3. Women politicians and civic leaders (59 surveys)
The survey involved face-to-face interviews
and household visits. The households were
selected on a random basis, starting with
the 10th house from the center location in
the district.
Our competent teams of one woman and
one man per province carried out the
survey. Furthermore, a supervisor was
responsible for quality control and
providing logistical support.
The interviewers began at a pre-determined landmark in the city (often a school, mosque, or bazaar), and
at a random walk method, every tenth household was selected. In each household, 2 respondents were
selected, using Kish grid methodology to select respondents.
Region Province # of Surveys
1 North and North-east Balkh 61
2 West and South- west Herat 60
3 East and South- east Jalalabad 61
4 Central Kabul 57
5 South Kandahar 55
10
For the women politicians’ survey, snowball-sampling method was used by identifying key informants
with knowledge of key political and civic activists for each of the 5 provinces who then identified other
activists.
RESPONDENTS SELECTION After selecting a household, interviewers used a Kish grid for randomizing the target respondent within
the household. Members of the household were listed with their names and ages in descending order.
The applicability of this method for countries such as Afghanistan is not ideal. Usually, the elders of the
family volunteer to do the interview. Furthermore, some household feels uneasy about naming their
family members and providing information about their age. For future studies, it is recommended that
simpler mechanisms of interviewee selection be utilized.
Using the Kish Grid, interviewers were not allowed to substitute an alternate member of a household for
the selected respondent. If the respondent refused to participate or was not available after callbacks, the
interviewer moved on to the next household according to the random walk.
PROJECT CHALLENGES AND RISK While the security situation was reported poor for most of the districts, the polling progressed well
without major incidents. This was mainly because we had hired local researchers who had good networks
with the local people and th e heads of the community. A group of
security experts who advise us about local security development and
how to deal with an unforeseen situation were embedded in the
management structure of the field research.
Interviewing women was another challenge. In some conservative
households women were not accessible for interviews without the
presence of another person. Women surveyors were included in the
team to address this challenge.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES In consultation with experts on gender issues and in accordance to the aim of the survey, a survey
questionnaire was drafted. The questionnaire was designed to ensure questions that are simple to
comprehend and doesn’t cover more than one hour. The survey questionnaire was initially drafted in
English and then translated to Dari and Pashto languages. The Dari and Pashto questionnaires were
translated back to English to ensure that key concepts and terminology were accurately translated.
The survey was pre-tested in Kabul province with a sample of 20 respondents, to ensure that no meaning
was lost or changed in translation and that no questionnaire errors would compromise the data. These
pre-test interviews are not included in the final sample size.
11
TRAINING OF INTERVIEWERS Training of staff involved in implementing the survey was among the most important aspects of this
assignment because the staff and supervisors play an important role in the quality of the final results.
The training focused on: (1) how to conduct quantitative survey; (2) introduction to the survey
questionnaire and the sampling methodology; and (3) provided an opportunity for rehearsal before
beginning the field work. Additionally, the supervisors were trained on strategies to mitigate biases, and
to effectively respond to fatigue. The following are some of the major topics that were included
in the training:
Introduction to survey research: We trained the supervisors on all respects of the survey method
– i.e. introduction to survey purpose, field guide for qualitative/quantitative research,
respondents’ Confidentiality and Consent and challenges commonly known to conducting such
interviews in Afghanistan.
Sampling logic and process: The importance of sampling for quality research was emphasized.
Sampling strategy was discussed in details.
Interviewer bias: Ways in which the interviewer can inadvertently bias the results were discussed.
Respondents selection procedures: The procedure to select respondents that meet the sampling
requirement for the survey was discussed. Kish method of sampling household members was
explained in detail.
QUALITY CONTROL We dealt with quality assurance as a core issue in the implementation of the survey and did not regard it
as a post hoc event only. A Quality Assurance plan was developed and the project staff was trained on
quality assurance processes.
After the delivery of the questionnaires from the field, most of the completed questionnaires were
checked for proper administration as well as proper household and respondent selection.
We had 5 supervisors who directly observed interviewers’ work in the field. Each supervisor directly
supervised the work of 2 interviewers in a day.
Furthermore, the supervisors selected 5 % of the households per district from the completed survey and
called them for back-check. The reason of personal back-check was to verify that the proper household
12
and respondents were selected. It also involved verifying the correct recording of answers to 3-4 randomly
selected questions from the main body of the questionnaire.
We also conducted monitoring from our Central office in Kabul in order to evaluate the work of the
supervisors and to advise and guide them on issues and challenges faced in the field.
FOCUS GROUPS The team conducted two focus groups in each of the selected provinces with a team of trained moderators
and supervisors in the field.
Each focus group involved between 8 and 10 individuals, and as internally homogenous as possible. In this
way, the results of each focus group can be easily calibrated to the characteristics of those represented
within the group. The location selected was central, neutral, and as easily accessible as possible.
Refreshments were provided for the focus group participants in order to ensure complete comfort and
willingness to be open.
Each focus group lasted approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The moderator used a discussion guide provided by
CPAU that touches on all topics being studied. Present at each FGD in addition to the moderator was a
note-taker and an observer.
The moderator was culturally and gender appropriate in order to ensure participant comfort. The
moderator introduced an icebreaker subject in order to begin getting to know the participants and to
make them comfortable. He or she then moved through the topics called for in the discussion guide,
moving the group along when they lingered too long on a specific topic and prompting them when there
was minimal feedback on a topic. Any topics that arose outside the scope of the discussion guide was
addressed at the end by the moderator as time allowed.
13
DETAILED FINDINGS
SECTION A: MEDIA CONSUMPTION
MAIN SOURCE OF INFORMATION Considering the media boom in Afghanistan, it is perhaps not surprising that people have access to and
use a variety of media. Nearly all our survey respondents confirmed that they watch TV (95%); two in
three uses the Internet (69%) and more than half (59%) listen to the radio (Figure 1).
Watching TV is found to be the highest among women (97%) compared to women politicians (95%) and
men (93%). Internet usage is most common among women politicians (90%) compared to women (58%)
and men (60%). Likewise, women politicians are more likely to listen to the radio (68%) than women (54%)
and men (55%). Presumably because they spend more time at home than men and women politicians,
women watch TV most of the time. This also explains the use of the Internet by women politicians since
they utilize this tool most frequently to keep up with current affairs. The use of Internet also allows women
politicians to get their messages across and reach a larger number of younger, tech savvy, connected and
digitally aware audience.
FIGURE 1 – RANKING USE OF ALL MEDIA
Watching TV remains the most
preferred source of information
(78%), followed by Radio (35%).
Other mediums of information
should not be overlooked. 19% of
survey respondents indicated that
they are reading newspapers and
magazines in getting information
about matters affecting them and
their families and 16% said they are
listening to the religious leaders
preaching. Fewer rely on textbooks,
posters, flyers and banners, cell phone messages and product packaging (Figure 2).
As the largest consumer of TV programming, women seem to be relying less on TV for information (53%),
compared to women politicians (92%) and men (89%). After TV, the use of radio (47%) and religious
leaders preaching (25%) is most popular among men for getting information compared to women and
women politicians. Reading newspapers and magazines is most common among women politician (33%)
compared to women (13%) and men (12%).
95%
TV
59%
Radio
69%
Internet
14
FIGURE 2 – WHICH SOURCE DO YOU RELY ON FOR INFORMATION AFFECTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
Overall, survey results indicate
that people are spending more
time watching television than
using any other media. In fact,
more than 90% of the survey
respondent indicated that they
watched television daily, but at
varying frequencies. Four out of
seven (57%) of those who
responded said they watch TV
about 1-2 hours a day. Almost
one-third (31%) of all
respondents reported watching
TV about 3-5 hours a day, which
can be considered a long viewing
time. Only 2% of those who
responded said they watch TV
about 6-10 hours a day.
The proportion of respondents who said “1-2 hours” was high among women (59%), and was especially
high among women politicians (63%). In contrast, the proportion of those who said “3-5 hours” was high
among men (35%), followed by women (32%). Only one percent of women respondents said they watch
TV “6 hours or more”, while this proportion was higher for men and women politician, at 2% and 3%
respectively.
There are more people using Internet in
Afghanistan than one might expect. About 60%
of the survey respondents said they use the
Internet on a daily basis. One in three (34%) of
the respondents reported that they use the
Internet about 1-2 hours a day, while almost one
in four (22%) of the respondents said they use
the Internet about 3-5 hours a day. In total, four
percent of the respondents indicated that they
use the Internet 6 hours or more on a daily basis.
Studying the figures for daily Internet users by the group of respondents, we find that women politicians
are more frequent users (85%). Slightly more than half of women respondents (55%) and men
respondents (52%) indicated that they used the Internet on a daily basis.
78%
35%
16%
19%
13%
9%
3%
3%
4%
1%
3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
TV
Radio
Mullah preaching
Magazines/newspapers
Curriculum (text books)
Posters, flyers and/or banners
Product Packaging
Community councils/CDC
Cell phone messages
None of the above
Don’t know
15
While television is dominating
media usage and the use of
the Internet is becoming
popular, the survey results
suggest that listening to radio
is falling in popularity. In this
survey, 53% of the
respondents listened to the
radio daily. More than two
out of five (43%) of the
respondents said they
listened to the radio about 1-
2 hours a day and only 10% listened about 3-5 hours and more a day. Looking at the different group of
respondents, at 60%, the proportion of women politicians listening to the radio was higher than the
overall percentage, while it was almost the same among men respondents (54%); it was particularly low
among women respondents (47%).
FIGURE 3 - HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE ALL MEDIA ON DAILY BASIS?
Half of the respondents
(50%) usually watch
television at night. Almost
one out of five (18%) of the
respondents reported that
they don’t have a fixed time
for watching television.
While close to a quarter
(22%) of respondents
indicated that they don’t
have a fixed time listening to
the radio, and almost a
quarter (24%) either listen to
the radio in the morning or in
the evening.
The behavior of watching television at night is consistent among all different respondent groups. 66% of
men reported watching television at night. The figure for the proportion of women politicians and women
is 43% and 37%, respectively. The habit of listening to the radio however differs slightly among each group.
One out of three women politicians and men reported that they don’t have a fixed time listening to the
radio, while the proportion of women who said that they don’t have a fixed time for listening to the radio
is only 9%. Likewise, one out of six women politicians and one out of seven men said that they were
listening to the radio in the morning, while the same portion of women reported listening to the radio in
the evening.
57%
43%
34%31%
8%
22%
2% 2% 3%0% 0% 1%
4% 3% 3%1% 0% 1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
TV Radio Internet
1-2 hours 3 -5 hours 6 -10 hours
More than 10 hours I don’t know Refused
16
FIGURE 4 - WHEN DO YOU USUALLY WATCH TV AND LISTEN TO THE RADIO?
News is the most preferred genre in media programing, as is the case for political and economic debates.
This is consistent with the behavior of watching television and listening to the radio in the evening among
all groups of respondents. More than four out of seven (59 %) of respondents thought that media is useful
for “news,” 35% said their favorite program was political and economic debates and 22% said it was
religious programs. In contrast, only 5% of the respondents said that they used media for entertainment.
This is an interesting finding which suggests that media is largely used for getting information and analysis
on current affairs than for entertainment in Afghanistan.
The preference for different programs is the same among all respondent groups, except that 67% of
women politicians reported following economic and political debates and 43% of men respondents
indicated “Drama” as their most favorite program after “news”. Also, men are found to be more likely to
watch sports compared to women (19% to 2%) and are more likely to listen to music compared to women
politicians and women (21% to 10%).
6%10% 9%
50%
18%
1% 1%
14%
7%
2%
10%
22%
0% 0%0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Usually in themorning
Usually in theafternoon
Usually in theevening
Usually atnight
There is no fixtime
Don’t know Refused
TV Radio
17
FIGURE 5 - RANKING FAVORITE TYPE OF PROGRAMMING
The use of social media has been on the rise over the past few years. Almost eight in ten (89%) of Internet
users say they visit social networking sites. Men are more likely to use social media compared to women
politicians (90% vs 87%) and compared to women (90% vs 85%).
FIGURE 6 - DO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA?
The survey respondents identified three destinations of social network sites. Facebook is, by far, the most
popular social network in the country, used by more than 60% of the Internet users. Two other social
networks, Twitter and Instagram, are used in the country, but none of them are as popular as Facebook
(4% and 2%, respectively). Facebook is much more popular among women politicians and men. Almost
three quarters of women politicians (72%) use Facebook. This figure is slightly above two quarters for men
(58%) and women (54%). Mostly women politicians use Twitter. One in ten women politicians use Twitter,
while only 1% of women and men who use the Internet reported using Twitter. Other social media
platforms have yet to take hold in Afghanistan.
59%
35%
22%
21%
14%
10%
10%
5%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
News
Political/Economical Debates
Religious Programs
Dramas
Music/Songs
Sports
Educational Programs
Entertainment
Refused
89%
11%
Yes
No
85%
87%
90%
Women
Women politicians
Men
18
FIGURE 7 - WHICH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM DO YOU USE THE MOST?
MOST POPULAR MEANS OF ADVERTISEMENT Of mass advertising, television advertising is found to be the most influential. Of all the respondents, 96%
confirmed that they are influenced by advertising on television compared to 72% by radio advertising.
Online advertisement was rated more influential than posters, flyers, billboard advertising and product
packaging.
All respondent groups are equally influenced by television advertising. Women politicians and women are
more likely to be influenced by radio advertising compared to men. Likewise, Internet advertising is found
to be more influential on women politicians than on women and men. Men are more likely to pay
attention to print advertising in posters, flyers and product packaging than women, although the influence
of print advertising on all survey respondents have been lower than online advertising and ads on radio
and television.
61%
4%
2%
2%
1%
2%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Other
None of the above
Do not know
Refused
19
FIGURE 8 - WHICH ADVERTISING AFFECTS YOU THE MOST? (SUMMARY OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE)
Television remains the most preferred media platform for viewing ads and receiving media messages for
more than nine in ten (94%) of the survey respondents, more than radio, online media, print and cell
phone messages. Radio and social media ranked the same (64%). Print media is still one of the most
preferred mediums for getting messages. More than half of the survey respondents (56%) expressed
preference for getting messages in the newspapers and more than one in three (35%) said they preferred
billboard advertising. Despite the growth in use of cell phones over the past few years, surprisingly getting
messages through cell phones was ranked below billboard advertising. A possible reason for this could be
that most people consider cell phone advertising as either intrusive or they don’t pay attention to it.
FIGURE 9 - RANKING MOST PREFERRED MEDIUM FOR GETTING MESSAGES (SUMMARY OF MOST PREFERRED)
95%
68%
39%
35%
28%
30%
97%
76%
74%
47%
53%
43%
98%
71%
40%
44%
33%
38%
TV advertising
Radio advertising
Advertising on the Internet sites
Posters, flyers and/or banners
Billboard ads
Product Packaging
Women Women Politician Men
94%
64%
64%
56%
35%
33%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
TV
Radio
Social Media
Newspaper
Billboards
Cell phone messages
20
SECTION B: CONCERNS ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
TOP ISSUE CONCERNS Currently, with the deteriorating security situation, it is perhaps not surprising that all the respondents
cite security as the most important issue of concern in the country. More than eight in ten (85%) mention
that the lack of security is the issue in their communities that concerns them personally the most. Jobs
and unemployment is echoed as the next most important issue of concern (51%). Other most important
concerns are poverty (45%), access to education (29%) and violence against women (25%). Health is not
among the top five issues of concern, a testament to the massive investment in the sector over the past
decade. While family violence could have been largely captured under violence against women, crime is
also not seen as a top issue of concern given that it overlaps with security.
TABLE 2 TOP ISSUES OF CONCERN
%
Security 85
Unemployment 51
Poverty 45
Education 29
Violence against women 25
Crime 12
Health 11
Family violence 10
Among different group of respondents, the top three issues are the same. However, violence against
women was ranked fourth among women (30%); women politicians and men ranked education as the
fourth most important issue (35% and 28%, respectively). The issue of family violence was ranked higher
among women respondents (14%), compared to women politician (10%) and men (7%).
When respondents were asked to rate the importance of problems
that women are faced with in Afghanistan, consistent with the top
issues of concern, an overwhelming majority (92%) said that security
was important. Access to education was ranked second as the most
important problem for women (74%). Rounding out the top five
most important problems are: discrimination (70%), male
dominance (70%), and gender abuse (65%).
21
FIGURE 10 PERCEPTION OF MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN
There is no difference among the different groups of respondents on the importance of security. However,
perceptions vary about whether other measures are very important or important. Women respondents
ranked access to education (80.4%), discrimination (77.7%), male dominance (76.8%) and lack of family
support (64.3%) among their top five most important problems facing women. Women politicians ranked
access to employment (66%) and gender abuse (63%) among their top five problems in addition to the
issues cited by women. However, men ranked access to healthcare (61%) among their top five problems
in addition to those cited by women and women politicians.
A comparison of the perception of men and women shows that men rank some measures less important
than women. This includes lack of family support (54% vs 64%) and male dominance (56% vs 76%). In
contrast, on some measures, men’s perception of problems ranks higher than those of women. Men
perceive traditional norms and practices as more important problems that women face in Afghanistan
compared to women (59% vs 45%). Likewise, lack of government services was perceived by men to be
more important than perceived by women (57% vs 38%).
CONCERNS OVER VIOLENCE While concern over violence remains considerably lower than that of the security, unemployment,
poverty and education, majority of respondents remain concerned about different forms of violence.
When asked, more than nine in 10 (98%) indicated being either very concerned or somewhat concerned
about violence against women (98%). Eight in 10 (82%) indicated being either very concerned or
92
74
70
70
65
60
59
52
52
49
5
17
15
19
21
19
23
26
28
27
5
10
14
12
14
21
19
22
21
25
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Insecurity
Access to Education
Discrimination
Male dominance
Gender abuse
Lack of family support
Access to employment opportunities
Access to health
Traditional norms and practices
Lack of government services
Very Important/Important Fairly Important Slightly/Not Important
22
somewhat concerned about child abuse. Few were concerned about violence against the disabled (37%)
and elderly abuse (30%).
FIGURE 11 CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE
The survey results did not find major differences among the groups of respondents on the measure of
violence against women. Men and women are equally concerned about this measure (95% on average for
all groups). However, we observed women being generally more concerned than men about all of the
other forms of violence covered in this survey. Women, in particular women politicians, are more likely to
be very concerned about the issue of child abuse compared to men (91% vs 75%). Women also have
greater propensity than men for being very concerned about elderly abuse and violence against the
disabled (35% vs 18% and 36% vs 28%, respectively). Likewise, men are more likely than women to say
that they are not at all concerned about elderly abuse (45% vs 28%) and violence against the disabled
(51% vs 30%).
PREVALENCE OF VIOLENCE Survey respondents were divided around the question if they
were facing less violence during the past 3-5 years. More than
one-in-3 (35%) indicated that they were facing less
discrimination in the area where she lives. This sentiment is
twice as strong among women politicians (46%) than it is among
women (24%). A similar portion (34%) said that they did not face
less discrimination compared to 3-5 years ago. Women are
more likely than women politicians to report that the amount of
discrimination against them did not decrease (38% vs 31%).
Almost a quarter of the respondents (23%) reported no
significant change in the amount of discrimination they faced in
the area where they live. There is no notable difference among
women and women politicians on this measure.
78
32
8
11
18
50
22
27
3
15
37
29
2
3
34
37
Violence against women
Child abuse
Elder abuse
Violence against the disabled
Very Concerned Somewhat Concerned Not very Concerned Not Concerned at all
23
FIGURE 12 PERCEPTION OF CHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE
THINKING ABOUT THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFETIME, WOULD YOU SAY, YOU ARE FACING LESS DISCRIMINATION COMPARED TO
3-5 YEARS AGO?
SECTION C: PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
IMPORTANCE OF EQUALITY FOR WOMEN An overwhelming majority of respondents either strongly agree or somewhat agree with the statement
that “women should have equal rights compared to men”. This sentiment is more prevalent among
women and women politicians. Nine-in-10 (96%) women and eight-in-10 (88%) women politicians are of
the opinion that women should have equal rights compared to men.
FIGURE 13 PERCEPTION OF EQUALITY OF RIGHTS
24%
38%
22%
6%10%
46%
31%
24%
0% 0%0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Yes No No Change do not know Refused
women women politician
61%
35%
2% 2% 1%
59%
29%
3%9%
0%0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhatdisagree
Strongly disagree Don’t know
women women politicians
24
Men and women do not differ sharply on this question. When men were asked if they thought women
are inferior to men, seven-in-10 (70%) of men respondents said that women were not inferior to men.
However, more than a quarter of men (28%) expressed that women were inferior to men.
PREVALENCE OF TYPE OF VIOLENCE When asked what types of violence come to mind when they think about violence against women, the
most common response that the respondents provided was rape – mentioned by roughly half of those
surveyed. Physical abuse (32%) and sexual assault (17%), verbal abuse (17%) and emotional/psychological
abuse (14%) complete the top five mentions.
FIGURE 14 PERCEPTION OF THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF VIOLENCE
PERCEPTION OF PERPETRATORS AND VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE A stranger is generally perceived as perpetrating the most acts of violence against women. Almost two-
in-5 (37%) of the survey respondents confirmed that a stranger is more likely to perpetrate acts of violence
against women. Armed group (36%) and powerful people in the community (20%) are among the top five
of those identified as committing most acts of violence against women.
A woman’s family (in-laws 20%, husband/fiancé 20%, family member 13%) is also perceived as
perpetrating acts of violence against women, although less than that of strangers and armed groups.
Security forces are the least likely to commit acts of violence against women (3%).
There are significant differences on these measures between different groups of respondents. Women
believe that family (husband/fiancé 28%, in-laws 18%) is more likely to commit violence against them.
Women politician, on the other hand, are more likely to believe that the most acts of violence against
women are perpetrated by armed groups (42%), strangers (38%), and powerful people in the community
43%
32%
17%
17%
14%
12%
9%
5%
3%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Rape
Physical abuse
Sexual assault
Verbal abuse
Emotional/Psychological abuse
Street harassment
Workplace violence
Sexual harassment
Domestic abuse
25
(23%). Men are of the same opinion as that of the women politician, except that they rank violence
perpetrated by in-laws (33%) as the most common after strangers and armed groups.
FIGURE 15 - PERCEPTIONS OF THE MOST COMMON PERPETRATOR
Majority of the respondents either strongly agree or agree that violence against women is more prevalent
in families with low incomes (80 %), and that violence against women happens more to widow women
and orphan girls (76%) and women with non-traditional views of the roles of women and men (74%).
Additionally, violence is perceived to be less prevalent against educated women (39%) compared to
illiterate women (72%). This finding is a testament of the role that education can play to reduce the
prevalence of violence against women.
In terms of how different groups of respondents, women are more likely to believe that violence against
women happens more to illiterate women (80.5%), to women in families with low incomes (72.6%), and
to women with non-traditional views of the roles of men and women in the society (66.3%).
There is no significant difference on these measures between women, women politicians and men. Except
that men are more likely to believe that acts of violence is more commonly committed against widows
and orphan girls compared to illiterate women (89% vs 66%). All three groups believe that educated and
working women are less likely to become subject of violence compared to all other measures.
37%
36%
24%
20%
20%
13%
7%
5%
3%
3%
1%
1%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Stranger
Armed groups
In-laws
Powerful people in your community
Husband/fiancé
Family member
Acquaintance
Friend
Others
Security forces
Don’t know
Refused
26
FIGURE 16 - PERCEPTION OF PERVALANCE OF VIOLENCE
GENERAL ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN In addition to testing the perceptions of violence, the survey covered a number of statements regarding
general attitudes toward women, as well as the relationship between men and women.
The survey respondents hold high levels of agreement that a woman needs the permission of her partner,
if she wants to go and visit her relatives and friends (75% strongly agree) and that it is a woman’s duty to
obey her partner (75% strongly agree). Few of the respondents believe that it is acceptable for women to
work outside the home even if the family does not need the money (43% strongly agree). Even fewer
respondents strongly agree that violence between couples is a private matter and should be handled
within the family (36%).
Almost a quarter (25%) of the respondents either somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the
statements that a woman has the right to express her opinion even if she disagrees with her partner and
that a woman can work outside the home even if the family does not need the money.
42
32
31
18
19
39
16
37
40
43
38
33
37
23
12
22
21
26
23
14
32
8
6
6
19
24
10
29
…in poor families
…to illiterate women
…to women with non-traditional views
…to women with physical/mental disabilities
…to working women
…to widows and orphan girls
…to educated women
"violence against women happens more…"
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
27
FIGURE 17 - ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN
the following differences emerge among groups of respondents in relation to each statement:
Men are more likely to strongly agree with the statement that a woman need the permission of
her partner, if she wants to go to see her relatives or friends, compared to women and women
politicians (88% vs 70% and 66%, respectively)
Men are more likely to strongly agree with the statement that it is a woman’s duty to obey her
partner, compared to women and women politicians (88% vs 67% and 71%, respectively)
Fewer men (39%) are more likely to strongly agree with the statement that couples should share
equally in household chores if they are both working outside the home, compared to women and
women politicians (48% and 63%, respectively)
Fewer men (25%) strongly believe that it is alright for women to work outside the home even if
the family does not need money, compared to women and women politicians (56% and 47%,
respectively)
Fewer women (20%) strongly agree that physical violence between couples is a private matter
and should be handled within the family, compared to women politicians and men (40% and 48%,
respectively)
More than half of women politicians (52%) strongly agree that a woman has the right to express
her opinion even if she disagrees with her partner, compared to women and men (44% vs 43%,
respectively)
75
75
50
46
43
36
23
14
31
28
32
44
2
11
13
19
17
15
1
6
7
8
5
If a woman wants to go to see her relatives or friends, sheneeds the permission from her partner.
It is a woman’s duty to obey her partner.
Couples should share equally in household chores if they areboth working outside the home.
A woman has the right to express her opinion even if shedisagrees with her partner.
It is all right for a woman to work outside the home even ifthe family does not need the money
Physicla violence between couples is a private matter andshould be handled with in the family.
Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree
28
SECTION D: AWARENESS OF SERVICES – this section summarizes the sources of assistance and
information that people know and think are available to women who are abused. It also summarizes the
perception of what women will do if they became victims of violence.
AWARENESS OF SERVICES Police (42%) and Department of Women Affairs (40%) and Family (39%) are more widely cited by the
respondents as a source of information and assistance to women and women with children who are or
may be abused. However, when they were asked specifically where they would go for such assistance,
more than four-in-10 (42%) said they would to to the Police. A similar portion cited Department of Women
Affairs (40%). Three-in-10 (30%) said they will go to their family for assistance and information. Few of the
respondents cited religious leaders (8%) and even fewer indicated approaching the community council
and parliament members (1%).
Women are more likely to approach family (39%) and go to the department of women affairs (38%) for
assistance or information. Women politicians, however, cited going to the Police (53%) and the
department of women affairs (42%). In addition, women politicians are more likely to cite women shelters
(17%) and religious leaders (10%) compared to women (12% and 6%, respectively) for getting information
or assistance.
FIGURE 18 - SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE/INFORMATION
42%
40%
39%
23%
22%
18%
14%
12%
9%
8%
3%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Police
Department of Women Affairs
Family
Human Rights Commission
Health Clinic
Community elders/leaders/members…
Women Shelter
Legal Services/Courts
Family Member
Religious leaders
Refused
Community Council
Parliament Member
I do not approach anyone
Do not know
29
When survey respondents were asked directly whom would they approach if either they or a member of
their family became victim of violence, half of those who respondents said they would go to their families.
More than three-in-10 said they would approach the Ministry of Women Affairs (35%) or Police (33%).
Elders and tribal leaders (19%) and Women Shelters (9%) complete the top five sources for assistance.
Despite common beliefs, fewer of the respondents said that they would approach religious leaders (6%).
With only 3% of the respondents citing legal services and courts, it shows that majority of the population
does not have faith in these institutions. Likewise, elected representatives both in the community councils
(3%) and the parliament (1%) are the least preferred sources that the survey respondents cited for
assistance.
FIGURE 19 - IF YOU BECOME VICTIM OF VIOLENCE WHO WOULD YOU APPROACH?
Men (62%) are more likely than women (48%) and women politicians (40%) to approach their families for
assistance. They are also more likely to approach elders and tribal leaders (25%) and religious leaders
(13%) compared to women (28% and 2%, respectively). Women and women politicians, on the other
hand, are more likely to approach the Ministry of Women Affairs (44%) compared to men (17%). Women
are also twice as likely as men to go to women’s shelter (13% vs 6%). While there are no major differences
among women and women politicians in terms of their approach, women politicians are more likely then
women to approach the police (37% vs 28%).
50%
35%
33%
19%
9%
7%
7%
6%
3%
3%
3%
2%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Family
Ministry of Women's Affairs
Police
Elders and tribal leaders
NGO’s supporting women's …
Office of the Human Rights Commission
Family member
Religious leaders
Don’t know
Community council
Legal services/courts
I don’t approach anyone
Parliamentarian/ other elected…
30
SECTION E: PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
PREVENTION STRATEGIES The survey population was asked what they thought could be done to help prevent violence against
women in their areas. Overwhelmingly, the respondents believe that more public education is required.
Eigh-in-10 (81%) suggest public education, while seven-in-10 suggested awareness raising. Law
enforcement (49%) completes the top three prevention strategies.
Suggestions brought forth by men and women are consistent on almost all but two measures. Men (38%)
are more likely than women (16%) to believe that improved standard of living will help prevent violence
against women. This sentiment is also stronger among women politicians (30%). Another point of
difference between men and women lies in the fact that significantly fewer women think that access to
justice could help curb violence against women (24% versus 37%, respectively).
TABLE 3 - PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Prevention Measures %
Public Education 81
Awareness raising 70
Law enforcement 49
Access to justice 29
Improved standard of living 28
Victim services 3
Don’t know 1
Survey respondents who suggested different strategies to prevent violence against women were then
asked to rate the importance of different stakeholders in improving women’s rights in their communities.
The responses indicate that there is very strong support for the
government taking an active role to further women’s rights. Nine-in-10
(91%) of all respondents believe that the government has a very
important role to play in improving women’s rights. The role of family
members also received a strong emphasis, with 78% of the respondents
suggesting it to be either very or somewhat important. While on the
importance of the role of media and religious leaders the respondents
were almost equally divided, fewer believe that NGOs, elected
representatives and community councils can play a significant role in
improving women’s rights. Interestingly, no significant differences were observed between the overall
agreement levels of women and women politicians on this question.
31
FIGURE 20 - PERCEPTION OF THE ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN IMPROVING WOMEN'S RIGHTS
When respondents were asked to rank the importance of various factors in improving the rights of women
in their community, an overwhelming majority said that education and security can play a very important
role in improving women’s rights. Supportive male siblings and the role of husband family is also
considered either very important or important among most of the respondents. Awareness of rights (54%)
completes the top five factors rated very important for improving the situation of women in
their communities.
More than half of the respondents thought that
access to services (53%) was either of average
importance or not important at all in improving
women’s rights. Financial independence is also
perceived by fewer of the respondents to have a
significant impact on women’s rights. However,
having a job approved by the family was thought
to be very important by almost half of the
respondents (49%). This is consistent with the
findings that working women are less likely to be
subjected to violence.
91
65
34
26
18
12
8
5
13
25
40
23
23
29
2
17
24
22
19
28
27
1
4
13
8
20
22
22
1
4
4
21
15
14
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Government
Family Members
Media
Religious Leaders
NGOs
Elected representative
Community council/shuras
Very Important Somewhat Important Important Less Important Not important al all
32
FIGURE 21 - PERCEPTION OF DIFFERENT FACTIORS IN IMPROVING WOMEN'S RIGHTS
There is little variation among different groups of respondents in relation to the importance of education
and security in improving the rights of the women. On other measures, however, women are more likely
than men to believe that having a supportive father, brother and husband is very important (82% vs 70%).
Women are also more likely than men to perceive that having a job approved by the family (54%) and
financial independence (36%) is very important for improving women’s rights (42% and 16%, respectively).
For men, having access to services (35% vs 16% for women), support of the husband’s family (66% vs 52%),
and a functioning legal system (46% vs 32%) are very important factors that could improve women’s rights
in their communities.
There is no major difference among women and women politicians on all measures, except that women
politicians are more likely to believe that a functioning legal system (49% vs 32%) and access to services
(32% vs 16%) are very important for improving women’s rights. Conversely, women politicians are less
likely than women to believe that having supportive father, brothers and husband are very important
(54.2% vs 82%).
Finally, respondents were asked if they believed media played a positive role in changing peoples attitudes
towards women. An overwhelming majority (86%) said that media played a positive role. Women
politicians are more likely than men and women to agree that media played a positive role in changing
people’s attitude towards women (Nine-in-10 women politicians, vs eight-in-10 women and men).
Furthermore, men are more likely than women and women politician to believe that media does not have
a positive role to play (11% men vs 9% women).
95
86
69
60
54
49
48
43
28
26
3
10
18
21
29
30
25
23
29
37
2
3
11
13
10
13
19
18
24
23
3
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
12
9
1
1
3
1
3
1
8
7
6
Education
Security
Supporting father, brother or husband
Husband's family support
Awareness of rights
Having a job approved by the family
Supporting mother, sister
Functioning legal system
Access to services
Financial independence
Very important Important Of Average importance Of Little importance Not important at all
33
FIGURE 22 - PERCEPTION OF THE ROLE OF MEDIA
INTERVENTION The survey responses indicate a general willingness to personally intervene and try and stop the act if they
witnessed an incidence of violence against women. More than half of survey respondents (56%) holds this
view. A quarter of the respondents (25%) indicate that they would call the police. With a majority
indicating that they would intervene and inform the police, the respondents remain less likely to stay
silent and do nothing (8%) or to inform religious/community leaders (4%) and the family members of the
victim (4%).
FIGURE 23 - INTERVENTION
Men (63%) are more likely than women (47%) to personally intervene if they witnessed an act of violence
against women. Consistent with this finding, men (18%) are less likely than women (29%) to inform the
police. Furthermore, women politician (25%) are more likely than women (13%) and much more likely
than men (1%) to contact the Ministry of Women Affairs. Finally, women (2%) are less likely than men
(12%) to remain silent and do nothing if they witnessed an incident of violence against women.
86%
9%5%
Yes No Do not know
56%
25%
13%
8%
4%
4%
1%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
I will intervene and try to stop the…
I will call the police/law enforcement
I will contact Ministry of Women…
I will be silent and do nothing
I will inform the religious…
I will inform my family members
I will contact relevant NGOs
Refused
34
CONCLUSIONS
Television remains the most popular medium and the most preferred source of information about news
and current affairs. Internet is a close second and gaining ground. The use of Radio, however is found to
be on the decline. Consistent with this result, the use of television for advertising and media messaging is
observed to have greater influence than other forms of media. Print media, in particular posters,
billboards and newspapers also remains a preferred medium for media messaging. Among different
demographic groups, women are found to have daily exposure to different type of media, while men are
likely to spend more hours using different media. Although this is the first survey to explore the use of
media in detail, further research will be needed to examine the media consumption behavior of the
population overtime and among different age groups of respondents.
Because of the on going insecurity, the worsening economic situation and the resulting unemployment,
violence against women is not the top-of-mind concern for majority of the population. Nevertheless, high
levels of concern were expressed with different types of problems that women face in Afghanistan. The
most prominent problems being discrimination, male dominance and gender abuse. The population
surveyed also reported high levels of concern with different types of violence, most predominant being
violence against women, child abuse and to a lesser degree violence against the disabled and elderly
abuse. The result on the prevalence of these types of violence, however remains inconclusive, with the
exception that women felt that violence against them is more prevalent now than it was 3-5 years ago.
Survey respondents identified rape, physical abuse and sexual assault as the most common types of
violence against women. The respondents also perceive that a stranger is generally the most common
perpetrator of violence against women, followed by armed groups and powerful people in the community.
Furthermore, belief remains quite strong in the prevalence of violence against women in low-income
households, to widows and orphan girls and to women with non-traditional views about the role of
women and men in the society. While an overwhelming majority of respondents agree, that women
should have equal rights compared to men, fewer find it acceptable for women to go and visit her relatives
and friends without the permission of her partner and to work outside the home even if the family does
not need the money. Majority also agree that it is a woman’s duty to obey her partner. These traditional
views and attitudes about the role of women is largely held by men compared to women.
Although most of the public is aware about police as a source of information and assistance, few said they
will turn to police if they were victimized. Family continues to be the main source for assistance followed
by the department of women affairs in the provinces. Likewise, a large majority of the population confirm
that they will personally intervene if they witnessed an incidence of violence against women. This
demonstrates a lack of trust in the police and other law enforcement institutions and the unwillingness of
the population to report cases of violence against women.
The majority of the population holds the opinion that public education and awareness of rights is the
most effective strategy to curb violence against women. They also believe that the government can play
an important role in advancing the rights of women in the society. A large majority hold a positive opinion
about the role of media in improving women’s rights.
35
ANNEXES
ANNEX A: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE September 6, 2015
Survey Management Section
Women Survey
M-1. Respondent Identification Number: __ __ __
M 2. Geographic Code
1. Villages 2. Towns 3. City M-3. Province
1. Kabul 10. Nangarhar 19. Samangan 28. Kandahar 2. Kapisa 11. Laghman 20. Jowzjan 29. Zabul 3. Parwan 12. Kunar 21. Sar-e Pul 30. Uruzgan 4. Wardak 13. Nuristan 22. Faryab 31. Ghor 5. Logar 14. Badakhshan 23. Badghis 32. Bamyan 6. Ghazni 15. Takhar 24. Herat 33. Panjshayr 7. Paktiya 16. Baghlan 25. Farah 34. Daykundi 8. Paktika 17. Kunduz 26. Nimroz 9. Khost 18. Balkh 27. Helmand M-4. Year of Interview: 2015
M-5. Month of Interview
1. January 4. April 7. July 10. October 2. February 5. May 8. August 11. November 3. March 6. June 9. September 12. December M-6. Date of Interview: __ __
M-7. Day of Week of Interview
1. Friday 4. Monday 7. Thursday 2. Saturday 5. Tuesday 3. Sunday 6. Wednesday M-9. Interviewer Code: __ __ __ __ __ __
M-10. Supervisor Code: __ __ __
M-11. Interview Completed on the …
1. First Contact 2. Second Contact 3. Third Contact
36
RECORD THE TIME THE ACTUAL INTERVIEW BEGAN (Q-1)
AND USE A 24 HOUR CLOCK (14:24, for 2:24 pm)
M-12. Record Time (using 24 hour clock) Interview Began: __ __: __ __
(Record Time Began Starting With Q-1)
M-13. Record Time (using 24 hour clock) Interview Ended: __ __:__ __
(Fill in all four data positions)
M-14. Record Length of Interview in Minutes: ___ ___
M-15. Date Formatted Field: September 2015
M-16. Keypuncher Code __ __
M-17. Language of Interview
1. Pashto 2. Dari
M-18. Coder Code __ __
M-19. Record name of the district :
_______________________
M-20. Record name of the village :
_______________________
M-21. Distance from District (Walswali)
Interviewer to estimate the distance from the district (Walswali) to where the interview was
conducted:
__ __ (in kilometers)
SECTION A: PROFILE QUESTIONS
1. What is your age?
a 18-25 1
b 26-35 2
c 36 – 45 3
37
d 46- older 4
e Do not know 98
f Refused 99
2. What is your marital status?
a Married 1
b Single 2
c Divorced 3
d Widowed 4
e Refused 99
3. What is your profession?
a Teacher 1
b Doctor 2
c Nurse 3
d Student 4
e Work with an NGO and/or donor 5
f Civil servant 6
g Police 7
h Businesswomen 8
i Politician 9
j Unemployed 10
k Other, (please specify) 97
l Refused 99
4. What is your level of education?
a Primary school (until grade 8) 1
b Secondary school (until grade 12) 2
c College 3
d Higher education 4
e I have not received any education 5
f I don’t know 98
g Refused 99
5. How would you identify yourself as?
a Pashtun 1
b Tajik 2
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c Hazara 3
d Uzbek 4
e Other, please specify 97
SECTION B: MEDIA QUESTIONS
6. Do you watch TV?
a Yes 1
b No 2
c I don’t know 98
d Refused 99
7. How many hours do you watch TV in a day? (Approximately)
a 0-2 1
b 3-5 2
c 6-10 3
d More than 10 4
e I don’t know 98
f Refused 99
8. When do you usually watch T.V.?
a Usually in the morning 1
b Usually in the afternoon 2
c Usually in the evening 3
d Usually at night 4
e There is no fix time 5
f Don’t know 98
g Refused 99
9. What is your favourite type of programming? [[OPEN ENDED; DO NOT READ OUT CODES; USE
PRECODE LIST TO RECORD RESPONSE].] Do not choose more than three programs.
a News 1
b Religious Programs 2
c Political/Economical Debates 3
d Dramas 4
e Music/Songs 5
f Sports 6
g Educational Programs 7
h Entertainment 8
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i Other, write-in ---------------------- 97
j Don’t know 98
k Refused 99
10. Do you listen to Radio?
a Yes 1
b No 2
c Don’t know 98
d Refused 99
11. Can you tell us what radio station you listen to the most? [OPEN ENDED; RECORD NAME OF
STATION MENTIONED]
A)
Q2a. Write Code for First Mention: ___________________________________________
Q2b. Write Code for the Second Mention: _________________________________________
12. How many hours in a day, you listen to Radio?
a 0-2 1
b 3-5 2
c 6-10 3
d More than 10 4
e I don’t know 98
f Refused 99
13. Around what time you usually listen to Radio?
a Usually in the morning 1
b Usually in the afternoon 2
c Usually in the evening 3
d Usually at night 4
e There is no fix time 5
f Don’t know 98
g Refused 99
14. Do you use Internet?
a Yes 1
b No 2
c Don’t know 98
d Refused 99
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15. How many hours in a day you surf the Internet?
a 0-2 1
b 3-5 2
c 6-10 3
d More than 10 4
e I don’t know 98
f Refused 99
16. Are you familiar with social media?
a Yes, go Q 12 1
b No, Jump to Q 14 2
c Don’t know 98
d Refuse 99
17. Do you use social media websites?
a Yes 1
b No 2
c Don’t know 98
d Refused 99
18. Which social media platform you use the most?
a Facebook 1
b Twitter 2
c Instagram 3
d Other (please specify) 4
e None of the above 5
f Don’t know 98
g Refused 99
19. What is the source of information about things affecting you and your family?
a TV 1
b Radio 2
c Posters, flyers and/or banners 3
d Product Packaging 4
e Mullah preaching 5
f Community councils/CDC 6
g Curriculum (text books) 7
h Magazines/newspapers 8
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i Cell phone messages 9
J None of the above 10
k Don't know 98
l Refused 99
20. Which advertising affects you the most? (Rank the following, 1 being the most affective, 4 being
least)
A) TV advertising
B) Radio advertising
C) Billboard ads
D) Advertising on the Internet sites
E) Product Packaging
F) Posters, flyers and/or banners
G) None of the above
H) I don’t know
21. Please rate your preference for getting the messages through the followings with 1 being the
most preferred and 5 the least preferred.
TV 1 2 3 4 5
Radio 1 2 3 4 5
Newspaper 1 2 3 4 5
Billboards 1 2 3 4 5
Social Media 1 2 3 4 5
Cell phone messages 1 2 3 4 5
Other 1 2 3 4 5
SECTION B: CONCERN OVER WOMEN RIGHTS
22. What is the most important issue in community today? In other words, which issue is the one
that concerns you personally the most? DO NOT READ LIST
a Security 1
b Poverty 2
c Health 3
d Education 4
e Unemployment 5
f Violence against women 6
g Family violence 7
h Crime 8
i Other, (specify) 97
j Don’t know 98
k Refused 99
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23. What are the major problems of women face in Afghanistan? On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the
highest) rate the importance:
a Access to health 1 2 3 4 5
b Access to Education 1 2 3 4 5
c Access to employment opportunities 1 2 3 4 5
d Male dominance 1 2 3 4 5
e Gender abuse 1 2 3 4 5
f Insecurity 1 2 3 4 5
g Lack of government services 1 2 3 4 5
h Traditional norms and practices 1 2 3 4 5
i Discrimination 1 2 3 4 5
j Lack of family support 1 2 3 4 5
k Other (Specify) 1 2 3 4 5
l Don’t know 1 2 3 4 5
m Refused 1 2 3 4 5
24. In general, how concerned are you about each of the following kinds of violence? Would you say
you are very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned or not concerned at all
about?
a Violence against women 1
b Child abuse 2
c Elder abuse 3
d Violence against the disabled 4
e Don’t know 98
f Refused 99
SECTION C: PERCEPTIONS ABOUT WOMEN’S RIGHTS
25. Some people say that women should have equal rights compared to men. Do you agree or
disagree with this opinion? DO NOT READ LIST
a Strongly agree 1
b Somewhat agree 2
c Somewhat disagree 3
d Strongly disagree 4
e Don’t know 98
g Refused 99
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26. Thinking about the course of you lifetime, would you say, you are facing less discrimination
compared to 3-5 years ago?
a Yes 1
b No 2
c No change 3
d Don’t know 98
e Refused 99
27. When you think of violence against women, what types of violence come to mind? DO NOT
READ LIST
a Rape 1
b Sexual assault 2
c Physical abuse 3
d Domestic abuse 4
e Emotional/Psychological abuse 5
f Verbal abuse 6
g Sexual harassment 7
h Workplace violence 8
i Street harassment 9
j Don’t know 98
Refused 99
28. In your opinion, who is perpetrating the most acts of violence against women in your
community?
a Stranger 1
b Acquaintance 2
c Friend 3
d Husband/fiancé 4
e In-laws 5
f Family member 6
g Powerful people in your community 7
h Armed groups 8
i Security forces 9
j Other, please specify 10
k Don’t know 98
l Refused 99
29. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of
the following statements?
44
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
a Violence against women happens more in poor families.
1 2 3 4
b Violence against women happens more in illiterate women.
1 2 3 4
c Violence against women happens more to
women with non-traditional views of the roles of women.
1 2 3 4
d Violence against women happens more to women with physical or mental disabilities.
1 2 3 4
e Violence against women happens more to workingwomen.
1 2 3 4
f Violence against women happens more to widows and orphan girls.
1 2 3 4
g Violence against women happens more to educated women.
1 2 3 4
h Don’t know 98 98 98 98
i Refused 99 99 99 99
30. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of
the following statements?
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
a A woman has the right to express her opinion even if she disagrees with her partner.
1 2 3 4
b Physical violence between couples is a private
matter and should be handled within the family.
1 2 3 4
c It is all right for a woman to work outside the
home even if the family does not need the money.
1 2 3 4
d Couples should share equally in household chores
if they are both working outside the home.
1 2 3 4
e It is a woman’s duty to obey her partner. 1 2 3 4
f If a woman wants to go to see her relatives or
friends, she needs the permission from her partner.
1 2 3 4
g Don’t know 98 98 98 98
h Refused 99 99 99 99
SECTION D: AWARENSS OF SERVICES
31. What services do you know are available to women and women with children who are or may
be abused? DO NOT READ THE LIST.
45
a Police 1
b Women Shelter 2
c Department of Women Affairs 3
d Human Rights Commission 4
e Community elders/leaders/members of parliament 5
f Religious leaders 6
g Health clinics 7
h Legal services/courts 8
i Other (Specify) 97
j Don’t know 98
k Refused 99
32. If you ever become a victim of violence , where would you go for assistance or
information. DO NOT READ THE LIST.
a Police 1
b Women Shelter 2
c Department of Women Affairs 3
d Human Rights Commission 4
e Community elders/leaders/members of parliament 5
f Religious leaders 6
g Health clinics 7
h Legal services/courts 8
i Other (Specify) 97
j Don’t know 98
k Refused 99
SECTION E: PREVENTION & INTERVENTION
33. In your opinion, what could be done to help prevent violence against women in your
community? DO NOT READ LIST.
a Public Education 1
b Awareness raising 2
c Victim services 3
d Improved standard of living 4
e Law enforcement 5
f Access to justice 6
g Other (specify) 97
I Don’t know 98
k Refused 99
34. If you become a victim of violence whom will you approach?
a Police 1
46
b NGO’s supporting women's rights/shelter; 2
c Ministry of Women's Affairs; 3
d Family; 4
e Elders and tribal leaders; 5
f Religious leaders; 6
g Community council; 7
i Parliamentarian/ other elected representatives; 8
j I don’t approach anyone; 9
k Family member 10
l Don’t know 98
m Refused 99
35. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest) rate the importance of the role
of following sources on improving women’s rights in your community (check the selected option
✓)
a Government 1 2 3 4 5
b Religious Leaders 1 2 3 4 5
c Media 1 2 3 4 5
d Elected representative 1 2 3 4 5
f NGOs 1 2 3 4 5
g Family Members 1 2 3 4 5
h Community council/shuras 1 2 3 4 5
i Others (specify) 1 2 3 4 5
k Don’t know 98 98 98 98 98
l Refused 99 99 99 99 99
36. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the highest) rate the importance of the role following factors play in
increasing your improving women’s rights in your community. (check the selected option ✓)
a Education 1 2 3 4 5
b Financial independence 1 2 3 4 5
c Having a job approved by the family 1 2 3 4 5
d Supporting father, brother or husband 1 2 3 4 5
e Supporting mother, sister 1 2 3 4 5
f Husband's family support 1 2 3 4 5
g Security 1 2 3 4 5
h Awareness of your rights 1 2 3 4 5
i Access to services 1 2 3 4 5
k Functioning legal system 1 2 3 4 5
m Don’t know 98 98 98 98 98
n Refused 99 99 99 99 99
37. Do you think media plays a positive role in changing people’s opinion on women rights?
47
a Yes 1
b No 2
c Don’t know 98
d Refused 99
38. If you notice the occurrence of violence against women what will be your reaction?
a I will be silent and do nothing 1
b I will intervene and try to stop the incident 2
c I will call the police/law enforcement 3
d I will inform my family members 4
e I will inform the religious leader/community leaders 5
f I will contact Ministry of Women Affairs 6
g I will contact relevant NGOs 7
h I don’t know 98
i Refused 99
39. What message would you want to give to the society on your rights? Please write.
-----------------------------
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ANNEX B: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you all share the same understanding about women’s rights? How do you define women’s
rights in the context of Afghanistan?
2. How do you assess the women’s rights situation in Afghanistan? Do you think there have been
improvements over the past 5 years?
3. What are some of the common violence and abuse that women face in your community?
4. What are the causes of women’s rights violation in your community?
5. What do you recommend that needs to be done to improve the situation of women rights in
your community?
6. What messages do you want the media to convey in order to promote women rights? Please
give 5 messages.
