Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization

NAP 1325 Monitor Monitoring Cycle 6: September – December 2018

February 2019 Project Report

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Acknowledgments

This monitoring report is part of the project “NAP 1325 Monitor”, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). About NAP 1325 Monitor The specific objectives of the NAP 1325 Monitor are to: 1. Report changes in operating environment for implementing NAP 1325 and report negative and

positive changes for action and learning on a 4-monthly basis. Monitoring is carried out using a standardized methodology based on a comprehensive set of indicators developed from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), subsequent related resolutions, and Afghanistan’s NAP 1325.

2. Generate practical policy recommendations for interventions by civil society and the government on meeting WPS objectives as specified in UNSCR 1325 and Afghanistan’s NAP 1325.

3. Disseminate information from the monitoring and related thematic research to national and international audiences with a focus on the WPS agenda in Afghanistan.

About APPRO Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization (APPRO) is an independent social research organization with a mandate to promote social and policy learning to benefit development and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and other less developed countries through conducting applied research and monitoring, evaluations, training and mentoring. APPRO is registered with the Ministry of Economy (MoEc) in Afghanistan as a non-profit, non-government organization, headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan with offices in Mazar-e Sharif (north), Herat (west), Kandahar (south), Jalalabad (east), and Bamyan (center). APPRO is the founding member of APPRO-Europe, registered in Belgium. APPRO also acts as the Secretariat for the National Advocacy Committee for Public Policy (NAC-PP). For more information on APPRO, see: www.appro.org.af. For more information on APPRO-Europe, see: www.appro-europe.net. For more information on NAC-PP, see: www.nac-pp.net. Contact: mail@appro.org.af About the Researchers The following researchers (in alphabetical order) contributed to this report: Ahmad Shaheer Anil, Fareba Ayob, Enayat Bashardost, Samad Ebrahimi, Ahmadullah Hamta, Ehsanullah Khalili, Fatima Khavari, Mohammad Sabir Khaibar, Saeed Parto, Bashir Quraishi, Hasan Raha, Mohammad Anwar Rahimi, Marzia Rahmani, Hikmatullah Ramin, Alamuddin Rizwan, Ehsan Saadat, Zarghona Saify, Lema Sakhizai, Yaser Talibzada, Adila Yadgar. Ahmadullah Hamta, Hasan Raha, and Ehsan Saadat authored this report. APPRO takes full responsibility for all omissions and errors. © 2019. Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization. Some rights reserved. This publication may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted only for non-commercial purposes and with written credit to APPRO and links to APPRO’s website at www.appro.org.af. Any other use of this publication requires prior written permission, which may be obtained by writing to: mail@appro.org.af

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List of Abbreviation AIHRC Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission ANDMA Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority ANP Afghan National Police APPRO Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization AWN Afghan Women’s Network CSO Civil Society Organization DoAIL Directorate of Agriculture Irrigations and Livestock DoEd Directorate of Education DoHRA Directorate of Hajj and Religious Affairs DoLSA Directorate of Labor and Social Affairs DoPH Directorate of Public Health DoRR Directorate of Refugee and Repatriations DoWA Directorate of Women Affairs DRC Danish Refugee Council DRRD Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development ECW Empowerment Center for Women EPD Equality for Peace and Democracy EVAW Elimination of Violence Against Women FRU Family Response Unit HPC High Peace Council HRC Human Rights Commission IARCSC Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Services Commission IDP Internally Displaced Persons IEC Independent Election Commission MoEc Ministry of Economy MoFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MoI Ministry of Interior MoJ Ministry of Justice MoWA Ministry of Women Affairs NAC-PP National Advocacy Committee for Public Policy NAP National Action Plan NDS National Directorate of Security NGO Non-government Organization NPO Norwegian Project Office NRC Norwegian Refugee Council PEW Office of Peace and Equality for Women UNSCR United Nations Security Council Resolution WAW Women for Afghan Women WPS Women, Peace and Security

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................. 3

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 6

Objectives, Methodology and Scope ...................................................................................... 10

Findings ................................................................................................................................. 11 Awareness of NAP 1325 .................................................................................................................. 11 Security Situation ............................................................................................................................ 12

Participation .......................................................................................................................... 14 Achievements ................................................................................................................................. 20 Setbacks ......................................................................................................................................... 22

Protection ............................................................................................................................. 24 Achievements ................................................................................................................................. 28 Setbacks ......................................................................................................................................... 30

Prevention ............................................................................................................................ 32 Achievements ................................................................................................................................. 33 Setbacks ......................................................................................................................................... 34

Relieve and Recovery ............................................................................................................ 36 Achievements ................................................................................................................................. 40 Setbacks ......................................................................................................................................... 42

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 44 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 45

Government of Afghanistan ............................................................................................................... 45 Civil Society and International Community ........................................................................................ 45

Appendix 1: Indicators ........................................................................................................... 46

Appendix 2: References and Coding ....................................................................................... 48

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Introduction

In October 2000, after decades of advocacy, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) recognizing the disproportionate impact that war and conflicts have on women and children. While having become victims of armed conflict, women’s role in the process of preventing and managing conflicts has been minimal and overlooked by relevant authorities. UNSCR 1325 was intended to respond to the changing nature of warfare, in which civilians are increasingly targeted, and to women’s general exclusion from participation in peace and security processes. It also emphasizes that peace and security efforts are likely to be more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict and the delivery of relief and recovery efforts.1 National Action Plans (NAP) have been developed by various national governments to localize the implementation of UNSCR 1325. Afghanistan committed to UNSCR 1325 in June 2015 with the launching its National Action Plan (NAP 1325).2 Afghanistan’s NAP 1325 was developed to respond to urgent need for the Afghan society to adopt an inclusive and participatory approach in the prevention policy processes and conflict management and create a new space for effective participation of women in peace processes, security and development. NAP 1325 is organized under the four pillars of Participation, Protection, Prevention and Relief and Recovery as follows: • Participation: Increase participation of women at all levels of decision-making related to peace,

security and civil service. • Protection: Ensure the protection of women, vulnerable to various types of violence in conflict and

post conflict societies. • Prevention: Prevent violence against women to ensure their rights and political participation. • Relief and Recovery: Create funding mechanism, economic development opportunities and the

provision of relief and recovery services to women from/within conflict-affected communities, IDPs, and survivors of violence.

As a national policy, the implementation of NAP 1325 is coordinated through several committees consisting of Deputy Ministers, Ministry Focal Points, representatives of the international community, and the civil society. A number of committees have been established to facilitate the implementation of NAP 1325. The most important among these are: Steering Committee: includes, Deputy Ministers of key ministries and agencies, including Civil Society

1 Weingarten, E., & Hilal, L. (2015, March 3). A Step Forward for Afghan Women? Retrieved February 2018, from

ForeignPolicy.com: https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/03/03/a-step-forward-for-afghan-women/. See also: United States Institute of Peace. (n.d.). What is UNSCR 1325? Retrieved February 2018, from usip.org at: https://www.usip.org/gender_peacebuilding/about_UNSCR_1325. Also: Women's International League of Peace and Freedom. (n.d.). NATIONAL ACTION PLAN: AFGHANISTAN. Retrieved February 2018, from Peacewomen.org at: https://www.peacewomen.org/action-plan/national-action-plan-afghanistan

2 Human Rights Watch. (2016, January 12). Afghanistan: Set Out Concrete Plan to Involve Women. Retrieved February 2018, from hrw.org: https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/01/12/afghanistan-set-out-concrete-plan-involve-women

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Organizations. This committee is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). Technical Working Group: includes, Ministries Focal Points for NAP 1325 and representatives of CSOs. It is led by DHRIWA within MoFA. Advisory Group: Includes representatives from International organizations and foreign diplomatic missions in Afghanistan. Women, Peace and Security Working Group: Includes international donors, NGOs and government representatives. The Steering Committee is responsible for directing and advising the NAP 1325 development process, as well as finalizing the annual status report while the Technical Working Group is responsible for collecting input from relevant ministries and government entities on NAP 1325. The Technical Working Group also provides input in assessing policy and legislative documents.3 The Advisory Group has a counseling role in the implementation of NAP 1325 while the WPS Working Group is responsible for consulting and discussing the implementation process of the NAP 1325.4 There are two categories of responsibilities among the ministries. These are “Lead Implementing Agencies” such as ministries and “Support Implementing Agencies” such as civil society organizations, media, and the private sector.5 Among the lead implementing agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Ministry of Finance (MoF) have key management roles. Other lead implementing agencies include the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI), Ministry of Defense (MoD), Ministry of Education (MoEd), Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR), High Peace Council (HPC), Independent Election Commission (IEC), Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG), and Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Services Commission (IARCSC).6 The lead and support implementing agencies are to report on their activities on an annual basis to the Department of Human Rights and Women’s International Affairs (DHRWIA) at MoFA. DHRWIA in turn compiles the reports from the lead and support implementing agencies and submits them to the Steering Committee for approval. The final annual report is submitted to the President’s Office, the National Assembly and to the international community. This report includes the extent of activities implemented, resources allocated, disbursed and spent, progress made and challenges faced along with recommendations to improve the implementation of NAP 1325.7 MoF is the lead entity in charge of budgeting and coordination of financial mechanisms with the donor agencies. In 2017, MoFA and MoF held various consultation meetings with the implementing entities to finalize the costing for the implementation of NAP 1325. As a result of these consultations, the total budget for the implementation of NAP 1325 was assessed to be 47.33 million USD. The Afghan government stated that it could draw 20 million of the needed funds from other programs and the remaining 27.33 million USD would need to be funded by the international community through ARTF

3 MoFA (2015), p. 29 4 APPRO (2018a), p. 16 5 MoFA (2015), p. 7 6 MoFA (2015), p. 29 7 MoFA (2015), p. 8

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and/or LOTFA channels. However, none of the donors has committed to providing this remaining amount.8 In the current financial year (2017/2018), the Government has allocated 2 million USD specifically for NAP 1325 implementation in the national budget. This amount has not yet been distributed among implementing agencies. The procedure requires each relevant entity to prioritize their tasks, develop the budget and ask for funds accordingly.9 In 2017, all implementing agencies appointed a focal point for better implementation, data gathering and reporting of NAP 1325.10 The lead entities responsible for the implementation of NAP 1325 have lagged behind in fulfilling their roles while lack of technical capacity, lack of coordination, and lack of earmarked implementation funds are cited as the main reasons for the slow pace in implementation of the plan.11 DHRWIA at MoFA is the main coordinating body for the implementation of NAP 1325, responsible for providing lead and supporting implementing agencies, identifying their capacity needs, organizing capacity building programs, and compiling the annual status report of NAP 1325 for MoFA. However, due to lack of technical capacity at DHRWIA, UN Women Afghanistan has been providing technical support, including the finalization of the status report on NAP 1325 implementation for 2017. According to the 2017 Status Report issued by MoFA, the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for NAP 1325 is approved and should be fully active from 2018 onward, to ensure there is “annual monitoring, mid-term (after two years) and final review (evaluation) in the fourth year.”12 Based on the new plan, all lead entities are supposed to report on a quarterly basis, as opposed to the previous requirement of once a year. This plan is in the process of being approved by the Steering Committee.13 There is also a plan to establish a Women, Peace and Security Unit under the DHRWIA within MoFA to lead the coordination, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and secretariat functions for NAP 1325.14 To date, two progress reports have been published by MoFA in cooperation with UN Women Afghanistan. The 2016 Progress Report on Women’s Status and Empowerment and National Action Plan (NAP 1325), which covers 10 out of 39 indicators, and the 2017 Status Report on the Afghanistan’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) which covers 37 out of 39 indicators.15 Reportedly, the 2018 Progress Report is final and is currently awaiting approval from the Steering Committee before official release.16 The 2017 Status Report by MoFA reports substantial changes aimed at increasing women’s participation in different areas of public life while MoJ reports amendments to five laws to increase women’s 8 APPRO (2018a), p. 16 9 KI-F-KAB-GO-20 10 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). (2018). 2017 Status Report on the Afghanistan's National Action Plan on

UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace and Security). Retrieved February 15, 2019, from mfa.gov.af: http://cdn.mfa.af/reports/NAP_English_final_29-07-2018.pdf

11 APPRO (2018a), p. 6 12 MoFA (2018), p. 4 and p. 8-9 13 KI-F-KAB-GO-20 14 MoFA (2018), p. 4 15 MoFA (2018), p. 4 16 KI-F-KAB-GO-20

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participation at different levels of government.17 These are the Civil Servants Law, Administrative Performance Law, Service Provision Law, Anti-Harassment Law, and Policy on Increasing Women’s Participation in Civil Services. In terms of implementing change consistent with the provisions of NAP 1325, MOFA reports the following:

Over 22 percent of all 399,574 civil service employees are women, 10.3 percent of whom occupy leadership positions.18 Efforts by the government to increase the number of women in a wide range of sectors include scholarship opportunities for women to take military training abroad, provision of separate workplace amenities for female employees and an incentive pay policy to encourage female job applicants.19 There has been an overall improvement in the participation of women in the peace process. A roster of 66 women covering 34 provinces has been formed to participate in peace negotiations with AOGs both in Afghanistan and abroad. The number of female members of HPC has also increased.20 Afghan National Security Forces have been trained by AIHRC on human rights, prevention of sexual violence and protection of women. A total of 2,400 security personnel was trained in 2017, of which 343 were women.21 Cases of violence against women have been investigated as per the EVAW Law provisions with perpetrators being prosecuted for their crimes.22 Twenty nine protection centers have been established across the provinces to ensure that female victims of violence receive the support they need.23 Psychotherapy units have been established within some health facilities to provide psychiatric counseling for female victims of violence while kindergarten provisions have been made to care for children of female detainees within detention facilities in some of the prisons.24 Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations (MoRR) reports implementation of 14 regulations to better implement the provisions of the IDPs policy on NAP 1325. The identification and registration of IDPs, their human rights, providing shelter, subsistence, healthcare and education are on the top priority as reported by MoRR.25

While recent findings confirm women’s increased presence in the peace process, especially in the HPC 17 MoFA (2018), p. 10-11 18 MoFA (2018), p. 12 19 Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization (APPRO). (2018c). NAP 1325 Monitor; Monitoring Cycle 4:

January - April 2018. P. 8. Retrieved February 15, 2019, from appro.org.af: http://appro.org.af/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018-07-15-NAP-1325-Monitor-Cycle-4-1.pdf

20 MoFA (2018), p. 17 21 MoFA (2018), p. 32-33 22 MoFA (2018), p. 21 23 MoFA (2018), p. 26 24 MoFA (2018), p. 27 25 MoFA (2018), p. 36

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and the PPCs across the provinces, women’s presence is primarily symbolic.26 Similarly, despite improvements in the treatment of women by security forces, largely attributed to awareness raising programs, there continues to be complaints about harassment by the police of victims of gender-based violence in some provinces, particularly in Kunduz, Kandahar, and Nimruz.27 Women’s employment remains heavily concentrated in education and health sectors while very few women occupy leadership positions.28 Protection centers exist mainly in provincial centers while the public’s perception of the centers remains largely negative. Also, there are no safehouses in Kandahar and Khost provinces.29 In Nangarhar, female victims of violence are reportedly treated similar to prisoners, confined to in-door environments and with no provisions occupy them. In provincial centers some of the women are, however, provided with legal and psychiatric counseling.30 IDPs are being provided with monetary support, economic empowerment programs, health services and education. These forms of support are unevenly distributed across various provinces, however, while the number of IDPs is steadily increasing.31 With the above background, this monitoring round provides an update on changes across 12 provinces (34 districts) that have positive and negative impacts on efforts to implement NAP 1325.

Objectives, Methodology and Scope

The objective of these monitoring reports is to evaluate the conditions for women and achievements and setbacks in the implementation of NAP 1325 across 12 provinces (Table 1). Achievements and setbacks in each province are grouped under the Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery pillars of NAP 1325. A baseline assessment was completed in March 2017 to establish the existing conditions for women’s rights in Afghanistan based on the available information and additional primary data collected by APPRO. This was followed by four subsequent monitoring reports, Cycle 2 (May – August 2017), Cycle 3 (September – December 2017), Cycle 4 (January – April 2018) and Cycle 5 (May – August 2018). Data for this sixth round of monitoring were collected between September 1 and December 31, 2018. The 12 provinces in the scope of this monitoring were selected based on heterogeneity in the social, economic, political and security conditions. Semi-structured key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a quantitative survey questionnaire were used for the collection of monitoring data. Data collection instruments were designed based on indicators under the Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery pillars of NAP 1325 (Appendix 1). The findings are presented with reference to specific data sources, using the coding keys described in Appendix 2.

26 APPRO (2018b), p. 12 27 APPRO (2018b), p. 22 28 APPRO (2018b), p. 10-11 29 APPRO (2018b) 30 APPRO (2018b, 2018c) 31 APPRO (2018c), p. 29-30

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Table 1: Breakdown of Provinces and Districts Province (12) Districts (34) Balkh Mazar-e-Sharif, Khulm, Balkh Bamyan Bamyan Center, Shibar, Yakawlang Daikundi Nili, Shahristan Herat Herat Center, Karukh, Ghoriyan Kabul Kabul Center, Istalif, Khak Jabbar Kandahar Kandahar Center, Arghandab, Daman Khost Matun, Mando Zayi, Nader Shah Kot Kunduz Kunduz Center, Imam Sahib, Aliabad Laghman Mehtarlam, Qarghayi Nangarhar Jalalabad, Kama, Surkhrod Nimruz Zaranj, Chakhansur, Kang Samangan Samangan Center, Aibak, Hazrat Sultan

A total of 728 individuals were engaged for this monitoring cycle consisting of 90 females and 201 males who were interviewed as key informants, and 226 females and 211 males who participated in focus group discussions. These individuals were selected from government units that have specific NAP 1325 mandates as well as civil society organizations that undertake activities related to gender equality. This report is organized as follow. The next section reports on qualitative and quantitative findings on the awareness of the National Action Plan 1325, followed by changes in the security situation, across all twelve provinces. Findings from the quantitative survey data, and qualitative data collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions are then presented according to the four pillars of NAP 1325, followed by the conclusion and recommendations. Quantitative findings presented in charts and tables are not statistically significant and are only presented as illustrations. In cases of quantitative data contradicting qualitative findings, precedence is given to qualitative findings.

Findings

Awareness of NAP 1325

Awareness of NAP 1325 is relatively high in Balkh, Daikundi, Kunduz, Nangarhar and Samangan provinces. Respondents were aware of UNSCR 1325 as being about women, peace and security and the importance the resolution attaches to women’s overall role in political, economic and social life. Many also claimed to be aware that the Government of Afghanistan’s commitment to UNSCR 1325 is embodied in NAP 1325 as tool to implement the provisions of UNSCR 1325.32

32 KI-F-BAL-GO-4, confirmed by: 61 KIs and 12 FGDs in Balkh, Daikundi, Kunduz Nangarhar and Samangan.

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There were mixed views on NAP 1325 in Kabul, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, Nimruz, Laghman and Khost provinces (Figure 1).33 Overall, awareness of NAP 1325 is widespread in provincial centers than in districts, due largely to the fact that awareness raising programs on NAP 1325 by government and non-government organizations are conducted mainly in provincial centers.34 Figure 1. Awareness of NAP 1325

n=635 Consistent with qualitative findings, quantitative data shows that awareness of NAP 1325 has increased in Balkh and Nangarhar provinces, while it has not changed in Nimruz. In Bamyan, Herat, Kunduz, and Nimruz provinces, the majority of the respondents reported no change in awareness of NAP 1325.

Security Situation

Deteriorated security situation is reported in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, and Kandahar provinces (Figure 2). In Balkh, changes in the leadership of the province has negatively affected the security situation. Crime rates have increased significantly. For example, during the parliamentary elections, three youths who worked as site supervisors for the Independent Electoral Commission were murdered.35 Similarly, in Bamyan and Daikundi, the threats from the Taliban has brought a wave of insecurity. The Taliban attacks in Ghazni and Uruzgan provinces has led to fears that the Taliban’s next target would be Bamyan. Transportation routes connecting capital to Bamyan, especially in Jalriz area remain insecure.36 Consistent with the previous monitoring cycle, the Taliban’s attack on Pato and Kijran districts of Daikundi created much instability in that province. Because of presence of local armed groups in

33 FGD-F-KAB-GO-2, confirmed by: 73 KIs and 24 FGDs in Kabul, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, Nimruz, Laghman and

Khost. 34 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 56 KIs and 10 FGDs in Balkh, Daikundi, Kunduz and Nangarhar. 35 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 19 KIs and 5 FGDs in Balkh. 36 FGD-M-BAM-GO-1, confirmed by: 7KIs in Bamyan.

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

Balkh

Bamya

n

Daikundi

HeratKab

ul

Kandah

ar

Kunduz

Lagh

man

Nanga

har

Nimruz

Saman

gan

I don't know

Increased

No Change

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Ashtarly and Armed Opposition Groups (AOG) in Nawmeish, these districts have become less secure than before.37 In Kunduz city, the Taliban threat is reported to have largely receded.38 In Kandahar, after the assassination of General Abdul Raziq, the police commander in chief, the security situation has deteriorated. In areas near the center, several bloody conflicts have taken place among rival gangs though these conflicts have gone largely unreported by the media.39 The security situation is relatively better in Herat and Samangan provinces. Public cooperation with security forces, police determination to thwart terrorist activities, cold weather, and local councils’ cooperation are cited as the main reasons for security improvement. Some respondents in these provinces stated that improvement has happened in thwarting terrorist activities and limiting AOGs movements, however crimes, such as abduction, robbery, and murder are still prevalent.40 Figure 2. Changes in the Security Situation

n=635 Interviewees report an improved security situation in Nangarhar, Kabul, and Khost provinces (Figure 2). In Nangarhar, 17 schools were reopened by security forces, while organizations such as IMC, ICR, NRC, UNHCR, WAW that had limited some of their activities, have resumed their full operation. There are increased numbers of police checkpoints in Jalalabad and night curfews are in place. Reportedly, the elections triggered some disorder with competing camps harassing and attacking each other.41

37 FGD-F-DAI-GO-1, confirmed by: 21 KIs and 4 FGDs in Daikundi. 38 KI-F-KUN-NG-5, confirmed by: 15 KIs and 3 FGDs in Kunduz. 39 KI-M-KAN-NG-1, confirmed by: 2 FGDs in Kandahar. 40 KI-M-HER-GO-1, confirmed by: 27 KIs and 8 FGDs in Herat and Samangan. 41 KI-M-NAN-GO-1, confirmed by: 24 KIs and 6 FGDs in Nangarhar.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Balkh

Bamya

n

Daikundi

HeratKab

ul

Kandah

ar

Kunduz

Lagh

man

Nanga

har

Nimruz

Saman

gan

Deteriorated

I don't know

Improved

No change

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In Kabul, IED and suicide attacks have decreased and security forces appear to have regained control of the districts.42 In Laghman the security forces recaptured Naw Rah, Langa Bari, Dado Qala, Maydani, and Besraka. Cooperation by the public is pointed to as a key factor in re-establishing security.43

The security situation has improved in the center of Nimruz province, while it has deteriorated in districts. Security forces suffered casualties in Kang and Chakhansor districts and one of their camps was attacked by Taliban.44 Similarly, in Khost province there have been improvements in security. The relative calm in Khost is attributed to ethnic homogeneity, public cooperation with the security forces, and the appointment of a new police commander in chief.45

Participation

Women’s presence in civil services has reportedly increased in Balkh, Kabul, Herat, Samangan, and Khost provinces. In Balkh, women are hired in the Directorate of Women Affairs (DoWA), Police Headquarters, Directorate of Refugees and Repatriations (DoRR), Independent Election Commission (IEC) and Department of Education (DoE). The PROMOTE project sponsors a leadership program to train a group of female participants on the basics of leadership while a group of female police officers have been sent to Turkey for military training.46 In districts of Kabul, women are mainly employed in health and education sectors. There are three female police officers and one female National Directorate of Security (NDS) officer in Bagrami district of Kabul. There are no female civil service employees in Istalif district.47 Table 2. Number of Women Recruited to Civil Services Positions

Provinces DoE DoWA AIHRC DoLSAMD DoRR DoPH DoI

Balkh 0 0 11 0 - 0 1 Bamyan 0 1 2 - 1 3 1 Daikundi 0 1 - 1 1 17 3 Herat 0 2 0 0 0 25 5 Kabul 39 0 - 0 0 13 3 Kandahar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kunduz 1 0 1 10 1 0 0 Laghman 0 0 - 1 0 - 0 Nangarhar 0 1 - 0 0 0 6 Nimruz 110 0 - 0 0 1 2 Samangan 1 1 - 0 1 2 4 Grand Total 151 6 14 12 4 61 25

42 KI-M-KAB-GO-12, confirmed by: 6 KIs and 1 FGD in Kabul. 43 KI-M-LAG-GO-1, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 2 FGDs in Laghman. 44 KI-F-NIM-GO-8, confirmed by: 4 KIs and 5 FGDs in Nimruz. 45 KI-M-KHO-GO-1, confirmed by: 19 KIs and 5 FGDs in Khost. 46 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 9 KIs and 2 FGDs in Balkh. 47 FGD-M-KAB-GO-3 confirmed by: 7 KIs and 4 FGDs in Kabul.

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Departments of Education (DoE) have recruited the highest number of women in the past four months. A total of 151 women have been hired, of whom 39 are based in Kabul and 110 in Nimruz province. The Departments of Public Health (DoPH) rank second with the most hiring in Herat, Daikundi, and Kabul respectively. The Police Headquarters stand third in hiring women to reach a total of 25 recruitments in eight provinces. The efforts to increase women’s participation, establishment of gender departments, the 5-point lead advantage for female applicants by IARCSC, and providing a safe work environment for women are stated as the priorities of the Herat provincial government.48 In Samangan, women are employed in IEC, DoWA, DoE, DoRR, and the Department of Women’s Health. In the latest IARCSC entry examination, more than 60 percent of the positions were earmarked for women.49 In Bamyan, Daikundi, Kandahar, and Kunduz provinces women’s presence in civil services has not changed. In Bamyan, the PROMOTE project is the main employer of women, mostly as interns.50 In Daikundi, there have been advocacy campaigns by CSOs and DoWA to increase women’s participation in civil services, but these campaigns have not yet had tangible results.51 The PROMOTE project activities have been stopped in Kandahar due in part to lack of local interest.52 In the center and districts of Laghman, women’s presence in civil services has increased. Dedicated positions have been allocated for women in the DoE, DoWA and the DoLSAMD. There are complaints, however, about nepotism in the recruitment process and the practice of jobs being sold.53

Consistent with qualitative findings, the quantitative data shows an increase in women’s recruitment in civil services in Samangan. Women’s recruitment has decreased in Kandahar province due in part to the PROMOTE project ceasing its activities in this province. Nangarhar is the second province with the highest level of decrease in women’s recruitment after Kandahar. There have been no changes in the number of women in government positions in Bamyan and Herat but there has been an increase in the number of women in leadership positions. There has also been an increase in the number of women in leadership positions in Kabul.54 Corruption, nepotism, intervention by powerholders, customs and traditions, lack of competence, patriarchal culture, lack of political support, lack of financial independence, family restrictions, lack of dedicated positions for women and having to take IARCSC examinations in Kabul are cited as the main deterrents to women applying for jobs in the civil service.55 Departments of Education (DoE) and Departments of Public Health (DoPH) have the highest levels of female recruitment in leadership positions. 48 KI-M-HER-PI-5, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 2 FGDs in Herat. 49 KI-F- SAM -PI-3, confirmed by: 6 KIs and 2 FGDs in Samangan. 50 KI-M-BAM-GO-10, confirmed by: 23 KIs and 6 FGDs in Bamyan. 51 KI-F-DAI-GO-19, confirmed by: 20 KIs and 4 FGDs in Daikundi. 52 KI-F-KAN-PI-1, confirmed by: 1 KI and 2 FGDs in Kandahar. 53 KI-M-LAG-PI-4, confirmed by: 15 KIs and 2 FGDs in Laghman. 54 KI-F-KAB-PI-3, confirmed by: 3 KIs and 2 FGDs in Kabul; KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 4 KIs in Bamyan; KI-M-

HER-GO-19, confirmed by: 3 KIs and 2 FGDs in Herat 55 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 48 KIs and 13 FGDs in Balkh, Daikundi, Nangarhar and Samangan.

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Table 3. Number of Women Hired in Leadership Positions

Provinces DoE DoWA AIHRC DoLSAMD DoRR DoPH DoI Balkh 0 - 1 0 - 0 1 Bamyan 0 1 2 - 1 0 0 Daikundi - 1 - 0 1 4 0 Herat 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 Kabul 2 - - - 0 2 - Kandahar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kunduz 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Laghman 0 0 - 1 0 - 0 Nangarhar 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Nimruz 3 0 - 0 0 0 0 Samangan 1 1 - 0 0 0 0 Grand Total 7 2 4 1 2 7 2

Respondents in Balkh, Kabul, Bamyan, Kunduz, Laghman, and Khost provinces reported an improved workplace environment for women. In all institutions, complaints mechanisms are in place, female employees have access to complaints boxes, separate facilities, kindergarten for their children, and transportation. The anti harassment regulation and committees are also reported as functioning well.56

The highest numbers of complaints about workplace harassment were recorded in police headquarters, with four complaints in Nimruz and one in Laghman (Table 4). Departments of Education rank second to record two complaints in Balkh and Samangan, one each. No workplace harassment complaints were recorded in DoWA, AIHRC, DoRR and DoPH. The zeros in Table 4 indicate no complaints and no mechanisms to report complaints.

Table 4. Number of Complaints About Harassment of Employees at Workplace Provinces DoE DoWA AIHRC DoLSAMD DoRR DoPH DoI Balkh 1 0 0 0 - 0 0 Bamyan 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 Daikundi - - 0 0 0 0 0 Herat 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Kabul - - - - 0 - - Kandahar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kunduz 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Laghman 0 - 0 0 0 - 1 Nangarhar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nimruz 0 - 0 0 0 0 4 Samangan 1 - 0 0 0 0 0

56 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 78 KIs and 19 FGDs in Balkh, Kabul, Kunduz, Laghman and Khost.

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Grand Total 2 0 0 1 0 0 5

In Herat and Nangarhar, respondents have mixed views about the workplace environment for women. According to some, transportation and separate facilities for women remain inadequate or nonexistent and women continue to be harassed in the workplace but choose not to report it.57 Others claim that the workplace environment has improved with installation of complaints boxes, separate facilities, health services, and transportation for women.58 Workplace environment remains unchanged in Kandahar and Nimruz provinces with sexual discrimination and harassment remaining relatively high. Women do not have adequate access to transportation and separate facilities.59 Departments of Education and Police Headquarters have addressed all the complaints recorded (Table 5). Department of Labor and Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (DoLSAMD) is the only institution that has not addressed the one complaint filed in Herat province. DoPH is reported to have addressed four complaints in Daikundi, however no recorded complaints were reported in this province. Table 5. The Number of Complaints Addressed

Provinces MOE DoWA AIHRC DoLSAMD DoRR DoPH DoI Balkh 1 0 0 0 - 0 0 Bamyan 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 Daikundi - 0 - 0 0 4 0 Herat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kabul - - - - 0 - - Kandahar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kunduz 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Laghman 0 0 - 0 0 - 1 Nangarhar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nimruz 0 0 - 0 0 0 4 Samangan 1 0 - 0 0 0 0 Grand Total 2 0 0 0 0 4 5

There have been no programs to encourage women’s participation in security forces in Kandahar.60 In Bamyan, AIHRC has two awareness building sessions with women each month and DoWA holds one awareness building session to encourage women’s participation in security forces.61 Similarly, in Daikundi there are awareness raising sessions held in local police stations.62 Government and non-government institutions hold awareness raising programs to encourage women’s participation in security forces In Herat, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Samangan, and Khost provinces.

57 FGD-F-HER-GO-1, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 6 FGDs in Herat and Nangarhar. 58 KI-M-HER-PI-5, confirmed by: 21 KIs and 3 FGDs in Herat and Nangarhar. 59 KI-F-KAN-PI-1, confirmed by: 23 KIs and 9 FGDs in Kandahar and Nimruz. 60 KI-M-KAN-GO-1, confirmed by: 3 KIs in Kandahar. 61 KI-F-BAM-PI-1, confirmed by: 26 KIs and 6 FGDs in Bamyan. 62 FGD-F-DAI-GO-1, confirmed by: 22 KIs and 3 FGDs in Daikundi.

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These programs are broadcasted through television, radio, social media and billboards. Female police officers receive 2,000-3,000 Afs more in salary than their male counterparts. They also receive 70,000 Afs incentive pay at the end of each year.63 In Khost, women have access to kindergarten for their children and they are allowed a male relative accompanying them (as mahram) in respect for traditional custom.64 In Laghman, local elders and religious scholars are invited in monthly sessions to encourage people to allow women join security forces. In Police Headquarter, security forces are provided with awareness raising programs and capacity building workshops aimed at increasing understanding and respect for female officers.65 ANP in Herat has employed six women in the last four months, the highest number among the provinces monitored. Samangan stands second with four recruitments. Nimruz and Balkh stand third and fourth respectively. No women were hired in the ANP in Bamyan, Daikundi, Kandahar, Kunduz and Laghman provinces. The data on recruitment of women in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces is not available. The number of women in leadership positions in security forces has increased in Balkh, Kabul, Herat, and Nangarhar province. Women have been hired as manager of FRU, deputy director for policy and planning, and manager of gender at the Police Headquarters.66 The number of women in leadership positions has not changed in Bamyan, Daikundi, Kandahar, Kunduz, Nimruz, Samangan, Laghman, and Khost provinces. There is no female police officer in the center or Shibar and Yakawlang districts of Bamyan, and there are no available vacancies for women to be filled.67 In Kandahar, low literacy among women wishing to join the security forces remains as a major obstacle. In most cases, working for the security sector, particularly the police, is a last resort for women seeking employment. Literate women rarely apply for positions in the security forces, which is reportedly the reason for there being no women in leadership positions.68 In Nimruz, women have been discouraged from joining the security forces due to the leaking of a recording clip showing “indecent” behavior by male police officers toward women.69 Work environment for women employed in the security forces has improved in Balkh, Daikundi, Herat, Samangan, Laghman, and Khost provinces. Women go through the promotion process, receive incentive pay, and have access to transportation, kindergarten for their children, and separate facilities such as toilets and changing rooms. Female officers are also eligible for scholarships or free admission at local universities across these provinces.70 Work environment for women has not changed in Kandahar, Nangarhar, and Nimruz provinces. Women working in the sector are said to be subject to harassment by their male superiors while access to transportation and separate facilities is inadequate.71 63 KI-M-HER-GO-1, confirmed by: 33 KIs and 7 FGDs in Kunduz, Nangarhar, Nimruz and Samangan. 64 KI-M-KHO-GO-1, confirmed by: 20 KIs and 4 FGDs in Khost. 65KI-M-LAG-GO-1, confirmed by: 11 KIs and 3 FGDs in Laghman. 66 KI-F-BAL-GO-4, confirmed by: 19 KIs and 3 FGDs in Balkh, Kabul, Herat and Nangarhar. 67 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 26 KIs and 6 FGDs in Bamyan. 68 FGD-F-KAN-GO-1 69 FGD-F-NIM-GO-1, confirmed by: 13 KIs and 2 FGDs in Nimruz. 70 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 60 KIs and 12 FGDs in Balkh, Daikundi, Herat, Samangan and Laghman. 71 KI-F-KAN-PI-1, confirmed by: 26 KIs and 10 FGDs in Kandahar, Nangarhar and Nimruz.

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There have been no changes in policies, programs and regulations to ensure women’s participation in the peace process in the last four months. There have been some conferences focusing on increased women’s participation in the peace process in Bamyan, Daikundi, Herat, Kandahar, Kunduz, and Samangan provinces though there have been no tangible results from these events.72 The overwhelming perception is that women’s role in the peace process is symbolic.73 There is acknowledgment, however, of the role of women in the informal peace process, mostly through dissuading male family members from joining AOGs or encouraging those already with AOGs to put down arms and join the peace process.74 Women’s involvement in the decision making positions in the peace process has not changed in Balkh and Daikundi provinces.75 Of the four women who are part of the peace committee in Daikundi, none has a senior role in decision making or peace negotiations.76 In Nangarhar, a woman became a member of the Provincial Peace Council (PPC) recently. There are three women working in PPC in Nangarhar, all of whom reportedly attend all meetings and actively take part in planning, and development of policies and strategies in provincial level.77 Similarly, two women are member of PPC in Laghman with roles in directing policies and strategies in the provincial level.78 In Kabul, the High Peace Council (HPC) is committed to increasing women’s participation in peace process. Thirty four women have become members of the PPC in efforts to increase women’s membership. Women’s membership in leadership of HPC has increased from 12 to 16. Also, women’s presence in technical departments of HPC has increased. The Council holds conferences, seminars, and awareness programs related to conflict resolution and mediation to increase women’s meaningful participation.79 Women’s participation in national and provincial elections as voters and candidates has improved in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, Kandahar, Nimruz, and Khost provinces. Awareness programs were broadcasted through TV, radio and social Media. The number of female employees of IEC surpassed the number of male employees with almost 50 percent of the voters in most sites being women. There were no major challenges to disrupt election or negatively affect women’s participation.80 In Nangarhar and Laghman, IEC provided awareness programs about elections, voting and becoming a nominee. IEC also provided potential candidates with information about printing their campaign posters and choosing an electoral symbol.81 In Nangarhar the deterioration in the security situation forced IEC

72 KI-M-BAM-PI-2, confirmed by: 27 KIs and 8 FGDs in Bamyan, Daikundi, Herat, Kandahar, Kunduz and Samangan. 73 KI-M-BAM-GO-10, confirmed by: 20 KIs and 6 FGDs in Bamyan. 74 KI-F-KAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 11 KIs and 3 FGDs in Kandahar and Nangarhar. 75 KI-M- BAL -GO-10, confirmed by: 24 KIs and 7 FGDs in Balkh and Daikundi. 76 KI-F-DAI-GO-4, confirmed by: 21 KIs and 4 FGDs in Daikundi. 77 KI-M-NAN-PI-2, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 3 FGDs in Nangarhar.

78 KI-M-LAG-PI-2, confirmed by: 11 KIs and 1 FGD in Laghman. 79 KI-F-KAB-PI-2 80 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 84 KIs and 23 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi and Herat. 81 KI-M-NAN-PI-3, confirmed by: 28 KIs and 3 FGDs in Nangarhar and Laghman.

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to stop its awareness campaigns in some districts. Also, there were protest demonstration in support of some disqualified candidates from the final list, discouraging many women from voting.82 Relative to rural districts, there were no major security threats to hinder women’s participation in the election. In Bamyan, female voters could vote without security tensions while female candidates were given five bodyguards and one vehicle by the Police Headquarters.83 Similarly, In Kabul, Nimruz, and Samangan provinces, security was maintained during the Election Day and women could cast their votes without worries about insecurity.84 In Daikundi, three election sites remained closed due to security threats.85 Some election sites in Herat were also closed due to security concerns. Also, lack of transportation was a major barrier to women’s participation in election in some districts of Herat province.86 In Kandahar, the assassination of the police commander in chief, General Abdul Raziq, negatively affected the security situation in the province, resulting in the postponement of the election for one week.87 In Kunduz, Nangarhar and Laghman provinces, the security situation negatively affected women’s participation in the election. Election sites remained closed in some parts of these provinces due to insecurity. In Kunduz, AOGs fired Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) targeting civilians in Kunduz City during election.88 In Sorkhrod, and Bati Kot districts of Nangarhar, IEDs detonated near election sites.89 In Laghman some election sites were blown up by explosives before election day, depriving voters from having access.90 The main challenges for women’s participation in public and political life are insecurity, insufficient political support, not having proper identity documentation, malfunctions of the biometric system, lack of awareness of rights in rural areas, long distances to basic services including voting sites, poor organization of voting events with attention to women’s particular needs, traditional conservatism, illiteracy, institutionalized corruption, and lack of confidence on the system.91

Achievements

Balkh:

● A woman was appointed as Director of Gender Department in the Police Headquarters, one woman was promoted at DoWA, and two women were hired in IARCSC, three in DRRD, and one in DoRR. Also, 80 women were hired as teachers by DoE and a group of women were sent to Turkey for military training.

82 KI-F-NAN-NG-3, confirmed by: 4 KIs and 3 FGDs in Nangarhar. 83 KI-F-BAM-NG-6, confirmed by: 25 KIs and 6 FGDs in Bamyan. 84 KI-M-KAB-GO-11, confirmed by: 39 KIs and 13 FGDs in Kabul, Nimruz and Samangan. 85 KI-F-DAI-GO-3, confirmed by: 22 KIs and 3 FGDs in Daikundi. 86 KI-M-HER-PI-3، confirmed by: 10 KIs and 11 FGDs in Herat. 87 KI-M-KAN-PI-3, confirmed by: 5 KIs and 2 FGDs in Kandahar. 88 KI-F-KUN-NG-5, confirmed by: 20 KIs and 5 FGDs in Kunduz. 89 KI-M-NAN-PI-3, confirmed by: 19 KIs and 3 FGDs in Nangarhar. 90 FGD-F-LAG-GO-2, confirmed by: 11 KIs and 3 FGDs in Laghman. 91 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 182 KIs and 51 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, Kunduz,

Nangarhar, Nimruz, Samangan, Laghman and Khost.

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● Women have access to complaints boxes in all government institutions.

Bamyan:

● Six women were hired in the health sector with financial support from UNICEF, one woman as M&E Manager in IARCSC, one as Planning Manager at Environmental Protection Agency, two as Human Resource Manager and Gender Manager at IEC, and two technical personnel in DoPH.

● Women’s Assembly for Peace Conference was held with more than 700 women attended.

● Female election candidates were provided with 5 bodyguards and a vehicle by the Police Headquarter.

Daikundi:

● Additional female personnel have been recruited as teachers by DoE and as advisors and doctors by DoPH.

● A 4-room building, with separate toilets and changing room, was built for female police officers in the Police Headquarters.

● Two women from Daikundi have succeeded in becoming elected as Members of Parliament.

Herat: ● The acting Deputy Governor is female and enjoys recognition among the public

as capable and committed. ● A woman was appointed as Director of DoWA, another one as Head of

Mustofiat, a group of women at IEC, and four women at the Statistics Department and the Municipality of Guzara district.

● Women’s Assembly for Peace conference was held to encourage women’s participation in the peace process.

Kabul:

● 39 new female teachers were hired in the last four months, one woman as head of a school and one in the DoE. 700 female teachers participated in capacity building training through the PROMOTE project.

● Women were hired in leadership positions as at municipal offices, as ambassadors, envoy to the United Nations, and IEC deputy in Kabul.

● The anti-harassment against women and children committee is chaired by the Governor, giving legitimacy to the committee.

Kandahar:

● Despite the one-week delay in holding elections as a result of the killing of the police commander in chief, the number of men and women who participated in the election was significantly higher than had been expected.

● The PROMOTE project has ceased its activities in Kandahar province to increase women’s participation in government institutions.

Khost:

● DoPH and Police Headquarters female employees have access to transportation facilities now.

Kunduz:

● Advocacy was carried out for the appointment of a woman to the post of Director of Gender at the Governor’s office. The Governor has promised this position will be filled by a woman.

● A woman was hired by IARCSC, one by AIHRC, one by DoLSAMD, and one by the Demography Department in Ali Abad district.

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Laghman:

● 123 women were hired as teachers with four in leadership positions and a woman was hired in the child protection department in the DoLSAMD.

● A group of girls traveled to Kabul to explore possibilities for pursuing bachelor and master’s level education.

Nangarhar:

● After passing IARCSC examination, three women were hired at the Fatima Zahra Hospital while AIHRC recruited another three women. The Police Headquarters created two positions earmarked to be filled by women.

● Female police officers receive 3,000 Afs more in salary than their male counterparts.

● A woman became a member of the PPC.

Nimruz:

● Women receive pay increases and other incentive pays of up to 70,000 Afs per year.

Samangan:

● A woman was promoted to the position of Director of Gender at DoRR and women were hired as forensics specialists in the DoPH, administration and finance positions at IEC. IEC hired five women at each of the 322 election sites throughout the province. 182 women were hired in DoE and one woman in the DoWA. Of the 150 vacancies advertised through IARCSC, 85 positions were earmarked for women.

● A number of ghost teachers were identified and removed from DoE payroll.

Setbacks

Balkh:

● Several vacancies dedicated to women are advertised in Khulm district but no female applicants are forthcoming for to fill these positions.

● Many harassment complaints have been recorded in the Provincial Council but none has been investigated.

● Apart from the Director of Gender position, no other leadership positions are filled by women at the Police Headquarters.

● 27 election sites were closed in Balkh, and 7 other sites closed after gunfire.

Bamyan:

● An anti-harassment committee has been established at Bamyan University, but no one has filed a complaint largely due, reportedly, to lack of confidence.

● There are no female police officers in Shibar district.

Daikundi: ● 4 women who are member of the PPC have no role in the policy process or peace negotiations.

● 3 election sites were closed due to insecurity.

Herat: ● There is no dedicated position for women in Guzara district. ● A woman who worked as a warden of Herat province, resigned from her job.

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Kabul: ● In Bagrami district, there are no women employed in the justice and agriculture sectors.

● There are no female civil service employees in Istalif district.

Kandahar:

● Internships have stopped in all government institutions. Citizens’ Charter program hired 20 female interns but the internship program was cancelled after it sparked a backlash in social media.

● There are only two female employees in the entire DoWA. ● There are no civil service positions for women in Arghandab district. ● Women are not involved in the peace process in Daman and Arghandab

districts and the level of awareness about the peace process among women appears to be very low.

Khost:

● There are no women working in leadership positions in this province.

Kunduz:

● Women are employed only in health and education sectors in Imam Sahib and Ali Abad districts.

Laghman:

● Except for one woman who works as director of DoWA, all other leadership positions are occupied by men.

● Women do not have access to transportation and kindergartens for their children.

Nangarhar:

● There is no female employee in the DoJ and IARCSC. ● There are no women in the security forces in Kama and Sorkhrod districts. ● Female police officers do not have access to adequate, separate facilities in the

Police Headquarters.

Nimruz:

● A video clip depicting moral abuse by police was leaked in the province, which damaged the image of the police in the public eye.

Samangan:

● A finance and administration position at DoRRD earmarked for women remains unfilled due to unwillingness by women to apply.

● The transportation facilities for women working in the civil service is insufficient and inadequate.

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Protection

Consistent with the previous monitoring cycle, there have been no new mechanisms to protect women against domestic or other forms of violence in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Herat, Kunduz, Nimruz, and Khost provinces. However, the Anti-Violence and Anti-Harassment Laws were signed by the President and could serve as instruments to tackle violence and harassment against women.92 In Bamyan, a 16-day anti-violence against women campaign was held recently.93 There is reportedly some progress, including in gathering input from multiple stakeholders, in finalizing the Family Law.94 In Arghandab and Daman districts of Kandahar, family conflict resolution committees consisting of female mediators are in place for resolving domestic conflicts and reporting to the District Governor’s Offices.95 In the center and districts of Nangarhar public awareness on violence against women has increased. Non-government organizations such as AWN, EPD and WAW, as well as DoWA go village to village in Sorkhrod and Kama districts and hold awareness-raising programs. Also, religious scholars have declared violence against women as a crime and a major sin.96 There is still some misgiving among women’s rights advocates the government has not done enough to tackle violence against women or enhance people’s awareness women’s rights and entitlements.97 NGOs have been holding a number of awareness raising campaign in a number of provinces, alerting attention to the EVAW Law, the Criminal Code and the Anti-Harassment Law. There are phone numbers accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week for women to report cases of violence or harassment to the Police Headquarters.98 There has been no change in existing mechanisms to protect women from violence in workplace in Balkh, Daikundi, and Nimruz provinces. There is some awareness of the Anti-Harassment Law more awareness needs to be provided for the public.99 In Daikundi, the Anti-Harassment Law is not yet implemented in all government institutions.100 In Nimruz, the EVAW Law continues to be used but there are no changes in other areas, including on the Anti-Harassment Law.101 In some government institutions in Bamyan, Anti-Harassment Committees are established to investigate cases of harassment against women in the workplace. DoPH, PPC, Police Headquarters, Bamyan University and some other institutions have been pioneers in this regard.102 In Kandahar, AIHRC has 92 KI-F-BAL-GO-1, confirmed by: 113 KIs and 29 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Kunduz, Nimruz and Khost. 93 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 3 KIs and 2 FGDs in Bamyan. 94 KI-F-KAB-PI-1, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 2 FGDs in Kabul. 95 KI-F-KAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 10 KIs and 5 FGDs in Kandahar. 96 KI-M-NAN-NG-6, confirmed by: 16 KIs and 1 FGD in Nangarhar. 97 KI-M-NAN-GO-6, confirmed by: 6 KIs and 2 FGDs in Nangarhar. 98 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 78 KIs and 29 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Kabul, Kandahar, Kunduz,

Nangarhar and Nimruz. 99 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 18 KIs and 6 FGDs in Balkh. 100 KI-F-DAI-GO-3, confirmed by: 18 KIs and 3 FGDs in Daikundi. 101 KI-F-NIM-NG-1, confirmed by: 16 KIs and 6 FGDs in Nimruz. 102 KI-M-BAM-GO-8, confirmed by: 9 KIs and 2 FGDs in Bamyan.

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initiated changes to eliminate workplace harassment by effecting organizational changes that enable female employees to plan their activities on their own and work independently and without interacting with male colleagues.103 In Kunduz, the Governor’s explicit moves to tackle workplace harassment has had positive impacts.104 Mechanisms to report cases of violence have improved in the majority of provinces in the past four months. This is mainly attributed to women’s increased awareness of their rights and awareness programs targeting men.105 In Bamyan, the Police Headquarters provides two landline telephone numbers for women to report cases of violence. Also, DoWA and Action Aid are providing awareness programs on the EVAW Law. DoWA plans to introduce “support houses” in some districts of Bamyan.106 In Kabul, reporting of cases of violence against women has increased in the past four months. AIHRC has gained a positive reputation for handling these cases by providing guidance and free legal services to the victims.107 In Herat, people have mixed views about reporting cases of violence against women. Some respondents state that mechanisms to report cases of violence have improved in the center and districts of this province and that the Family Resolution Units (FRUs) are well established in all police stations. Women can easily file their complaints while continuing to increase their awareness through programs implemented by NGOs and DoWA.108 Others complain that the reporting mechanisms remain weak due to the prevalence of the patriarchal culture preventing women from reporting cases of violence, judiciary employees being predominantly men, and the ineffectiveness of in addressing grievances of women who file complaints despite family and community pressure.109 Nimruz province faces similar challenges.110 Barriers to report cases of violence (Figure 4) have not changed in Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, Nimruz, Samangan and Laghman provinces. Although women’s overall awareness has increased in most of these provinces, they continue to face deterrents and obstacles in reporting cases of violence due to lack of physical access to entities that would take up their cases, financial limitations, community elders’ interventions, family pressure, unawareness of laws and rights, lack of sufficient female employees in the police and judiciary in districts, insecurity, corruption, fear of retaliation, and fear of losing children after divorce.111 These barriers are less severe in Balkh, Kunduz, Nangarhar, and Khost provinces. In Balkh, despite all challenges, women use the 119 police number to report cases of violence.112 In Kunduz, ECW

103 KI-F-KAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 2 KIs in Kandahar. 104 KI-F-KUN-NG-5, confirmed by: 7 KIs and 2 FGDs in Kunduz. 105 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 10 KIs and 3 FGDs in Balkh. 106 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 10 KIs and 4 FGDs in Bamyan. 107 KI-F-KAB-NG-1, confirmed by: 3 KIs in Kabul. 108 KI-M-HER-GO-1، confirmed by: 11 KIs and 3 FGDs in Herat. 109 FGD-M-HER-GO-1، confirmed by: 2 KIs and 1 FGD in Herat. 110 KI-F-NIM-GO-4, confirmed by: 10 KIs and 2 FGDs in Nimruz. 111 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 18 KIs and 6 FGDs in Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, Nimruz, Samangan and

Laghman. 112 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 18 KIs and 6 FGDs in Balkh.

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Organization has launched a new program to set up local Jirgas for conflict resolution. The program also provides capacity building training for jirga members.113 The Governor of Kunduz chairs the Anti-violence and Harassment Committee, which has strengthened the legitimacy of the committee, particularly among women.114 In Nangarhar, WAW provides awareness raising and free attorneys for victims of violence. Reportedly, there are FRUs in all districts of Nangarhar province.115 In Khost, Justice for All (JFO) helps women with their cases.116 Women’s access to fair and accountable justice remains limited in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Nangarhar, Laghman and Khost provinces. Traditional justice and local elders’ interventions to resolve conflicts are the major deterrents to women’s access to formal justice. Local elders often prevent, through mediation and pressure, women’s cases reaching the formal court.117 Since the elders are all male, there is a high risk that their decisions often favor men.118 In Kabul, the existence of the Special Attorney for Anti-Violence, Family Court and Family Attorney all provide opportunities for women to register their violence-related complaints.119 Confidence in these mechanisms has been increasing due to continuous monitoring.120 In Herat, Nimruz, and Samangan provinces there have been increases in the number of women employed as lawyers and prosecutors, increasing the credibility of the formal justice system among women.121 Similarly, in Kandahar, DoWA and AIHRC’s coordination as well as the existence of two female prosecutors in Attorney General’s Office have contributed to women’s increasing confidence in the formal justice system.122 Women’s presence in the justice sector has not increased in Balkh, Daikundi, Kabul, Kandahar, Kunduz, Nangarhar, and Nimruz provinces. This problem is more pronounced in the rural districts of these provinces.123 Although the Department of Justice in districts of Kandahar has advertised women-only positions, no women have come forward as applicants.124 In Nangarhar, women are reportedly not interested in working with DoJ because of family barriers and prevalent corruption.125 In Bamyan, six women were hired in Attorney General’s Office, three as prosecutors and three as administrative employees. Another woman was hired as a lawyer in the provincial center.126 In Herat, twenty eight women were hired as prosecutors and administrative employees, and sixteen women as interns at DoJ.127 Similarly, four women were hired in Attorney General’s Office in Samangan and one at

113 KI-F-KUN-NG-5, confirmed by: 3 KIs in Kunduz. 114 KI-M-KUN-NG-6 115 KI-M-NAN-GO-6, confirmed by: 17 KIs and 1 FGD in Nangarhar. 116 KI-M-KHO-GO-11, confirmed by: 20 KIs and 5 FGDs in Khost. 117 KI-M- BAL -GO-10, confirmed by: 62 KIs and 19 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi and Nangarhar. 118 KI-M- BAL -GO-10, confirmed by: 28 KIs and 16 FGDs in Bamyan and Balkh. 119 KI-M-KAB-GO-19, confirmed by: 4 KIs and 1 FGD in Kabul. 120 KI-F-KAB-NG-1 121 KI-M-HER-GO-5, confirmed by: 30 KIs and 9 FGDs in Herat, Nimruz and Samangan. 122 KI-M-KAN-GO-5, confirmed by: 3 KIs in Kandahar. 123 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 56 KIs and 13 FGDs in Balkh, Daikundi, Kabul and Nimruz. 124 KI-M-KAN-GO-5 125 KI-M-NAN-GO-10, confirmed by: 11 KIs and 4 FGDs in Nangarhar. 126 KI-F-BAM-PI-1, confirmed by: 4 KIs in Bamyan. 127 FGD-M-HER-GO-1, confirmed by: 5 KIs in Herat.

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Laghman’s Attorney General’s Office.128 The number of female lawyers has increased from two to four in Khost province.129 In Nangarhar, cases that are referred to DoJ by AIHRC are reportedly resolved without corruption.130 There are complaints, however, that judicial institutions are not monitored by independent bodies.131 In Laghman, awareness programs are said to have been effective in enabling women to use the formal justice system while others point to corruption and traditional conservatism as deterrents to women taking their cases to the formal justice system. have reduced some of these barriers.132 Implementation of the EVAW Law has improved in all provinces. Cases of violence against women are usually adequately probed and resolved in accordance with the EVAW Law provisions.133 However, the implementation of the Law remains uneven in districts.134 In Bamyan, cases that were investigated as per the EVAW Law include beating, harassment, sexual abuse, underage marriage, deprivation of alimony and inheritance rights, and escape from home. Dozens of cases have been recorded by the Police Headquarters, DoWA, and AIHRC. Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA) monitors the implementation of this law in Bamyan.135 Similar monitoring is carried out in Kabul on the Supreme Court by Medica Afghanistan.136 Women’s condition in the prisons in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Nimruz and Samangan provinces has not changed. Prisoners from different categories of crime stay under the same roof, which creates and environment of risk for the detainees with lighter crimes. There are no detention facilities in the districts of these provinces, resulting in the transfer of prisoners from districts to the center.137 In Herat, Kunduz, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Khost provinces, women’s condition in prisons has improved. These facilities are periodically monitored, women reportedly have access to decent food, education and health services, and also employees of prison treat them with respect.138 Security forces have received comprehensive training and awareness by government and non-government institutions to respect women and protect them in all provinces.139 In Bamyan, the Cyber

128 KI-M- SAM -GO-6, confirmed by: 4 KIs and 2 FGDs in Samangan; KI-F-LAG-NG-3, confirmed by: 2 KIs and 1 FGD in

Laghman. 129 KI-M-KHO-GO-1, confirmed by: 20 KIs and 5 FGDs in Khost. 130 KI-F-NAN-NG-2, confirmed by: 12 KIs and 2 FGDs in Nangarhar. 131 KI-F-NAN-NG-2, confirmed by: 13 KIs and 2 FGDs in Nangarhar. 132 KI-F-LAG-GO-4, confirmed by: 10 KIs and 2 FGDs in Laghman; KI-M-LAG-GO-19, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 2FGDs in

Laghman 133 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 103 KIs and 24 FGDs in Balkh, Daikundi, Herat, Kunduz, Samangan, Nangarhar,

Nimruz, Laghman and Khost. 134 FGD-F-KAN-GO-2, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 3 FGDs in Kandahar and Nimruz. 135 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 27 KIs and 6 FGDs in Bamyan. 136 KI-F-KAB-PI-1, confirmed by: 4 KIs in Kabul. 137 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 97 KIs and 28 FGDs in Balkh, Kabul, Daikundi, Nimruz, Samangan and Bamyan. 138 KI-F-KAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 62 KIs and 11 FGDs in Herat, Kandahar, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Laghman and Khost. 139 KI-F- BAL -GO-6, confirmed by: 76 KIs and 20 FGDs in Balkh, Nangarhar, Kunduz, Samangan, Laghman and Khost.

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Crime Department is established in the Police Headquarters to investigate cases of harassment through electronic devices, i.e. mobile phones.140 Treatment of women by security forces, particularly the Afghan National Police (ANP), has improved in all provinces in part due to ongoing awareness programs and workshops about women’s right and laws protecting women.141

Achievements

Balkh:

● The number of women using the 119 police emergency number to file their complaints is increasing.

Bamyan:

● A 16-day anti-violence campaign was held in the city center and districts of this province.

● There are two telephone numbers for reporting cases of harassment to the Police Headquarters. These numbers are displayed on billboards throughout the city.

● 36 cases of violence against women were recorded at the Police Headquarters, of which 11 cases were sent to Attorney General’s Office for further investigation and 2 cases to Justice Department. The remaining cases are being processed for further action.

● All cases of violence against women are monitored by AIHRC, DoWA, and IWA. ● A female lawyer was recently hired by the Advocates Association in the city

center while three prosecutors and three administration employees were hired in the Attorney General’s Office.

Daikundi:

● DoPH has established an anti-harassment committee and appointed focal points in 20 health centers across the province.

● 66 cases of violence were recorded by the Police Headquarters, of which 49 cases are under process. Also, 102 perpetrators of violence against women were arrested.

Herat:

● Promotion of men in government institutions is based on having a performance record clear of harassment.

● Family Response Units (FRUs) have been established in all police stations across the province.

● An estimated 40 percent of the women throughout the province have access to various services provided by NGOs, including NGOs with women, peace and security mandates.

● Establishment of a family court and recruiting women as prosecutors in the Attorney General’s Office has improved women’s access to justice.

140 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 1 KI in Bamyan. 141 KI-F- BAL -GO-6, confirmed by: 144 KIs and 36 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, Kandahar,

Nangarhar, Nimruz, Samangan, Laghman and Khost.

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Kabul:

● Two cases of harassment were recorded in the past four months. One case was resolved and the victim was sent to a safehouse, while the other case was withdrawn.

● Family Law is about to pass and is currently in the process of receiving feedback from the public.

● Supreme Audit Office (SAO) carried out a spot audit of the judicial institutions. ● Implementation of the EVAW Law is monitored by Supreme Court and Medica

organization.

Kandahar:

● Committees consisting of women to resolve cases of domestic violence are present in Daman and Arghandab districts. They report to the District Governor’s office.

● AIHRC has taken measures to eliminate harassment at the work place by creating separate facilities and work arrangements for female employees.

● NRC provides free defense lawyers for female victims of violence. ● DoWA monitors prisons two times every four months.

Khost:

● Two female lawyers were hired in the appeal court recently.

Kunduz:

● Since the appointment of a female head of the General Prosecution Office for Anti-Violence Against Women, women’s access and confidence in judicial institutions have increased.

Laghman:

● IMC, ABRAR and DoWA employees go door to door in villages to enhance people’s awareness on the need to prevent violence against women.

● Religious scholars have been using their sermons to encourage men to avoid violence against women.

● Women can report cases of violence through phone numbers provided by DoWA. Women also receive guidance about their cases by DoWA employees.

● Women are given free lawyer to have present their cases.

Nangarhar:

● AWN, EPD, WAW and DoWA go village to village in Kama and Sorkhrod districts to raise awareness about the need to prevent violence against women.

● Women are given free lawyers by WAW organization. ● FRUs are present in all districts of this province.

Nimruz:

● The prison is well maintained in Zaranj, the provincial center.

Samangan:

● IMC and YHDO organizations have trained 96 health sector employees regarding the Labor Law and women’s safety.

● Three women were hired in the Attorney General’s Office to increase women’s access to justice.

● Nine cases of violence against women were resolved by the Conflict Resolution Unit.

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Setbacks

Balkh:

● There are no women working in justice sector in the districts. ● Due to shortage of female personnel, women have to discuss their cases with

male employees at DoJ or the Police Headquarters, dissuading many women from registering their cases.

● There are no female detention facilities in Balkh and Khulm districts. Women committing a crime are kept in the house of the head of Provincial Council until they are transferred to the prison in Mazar-e Sharif.

Bamyan:

● Poverty and high addiction rates are reportedly the major drivers of violence against women in this province.

● There is no female detention facility in the districts of this province.

Daikundi:

● Women do not have access to lawyers. ● MPs and local elders intervene in various cases. ● There are no detention facilities or support centers for women in Shahristan

district.

Herat:

● Families do not allow women to report cases of violence while many women are afraid of acting on their own.

● There are no women working in the Justice Department in Karukh district. ● There are no female detention facilities in Karukh and Guzara districts.

Kabul:

● There are no women working in the Justice Sector in Bagrami and Istalif districts.

● There are no female detention facilities in Istalif and Bagrami districts.

Kandahar:

● Women generally do not want to report violence due to the high risk of being shamed by their family and within the community.

● There is only one female lawyer in Kandahar. ● DoJ has announced several vacancies earmarked for women, but there are no

female applicants. ● There are no women working in the Justice Department in Daman and

Arghandab districts.

Khost:

● There are three employees in city center responsible for human rights department but no employees in districts, making it difficult for women to report their cases.

● Most cases of violence are resolved by family and local elders through informal justice rules.

Kunduz:

● Despite experiencing harassment in the workplace, women do not file complaints, fearing loss of reputation and dignity.

● There are no female detention facilities in Ali Abad and Imam Sahib districts.

Laghman:

● Many men who commit violence against their wives and are imprisoned are set free after paying bribes.

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Nangarhar:

● There are no female detention facilities in the districts. ● There are no women employees in the Justice Departments of Kama and

Sorkhrod districts.

Nimruz:

● Access to legal services for women is available only in Zaranj and not in any of the districts.

● Implementation of the EVAW Law remains weak in the districts.

Samangan:

● There are no female detention facilities in the districts.

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Prevention

Types of violence incidents against women have not changed in majority of provinces, whilst the number of violence incidents has increased. The main drivers of increased violence against women are said to be women's increased awareness of their rights with more women choosing to exercise those rights, insecurity, economic hardship, and addiction.142 Respondents in Nangarhar, Laghman, and Khost provinces reported a decrease in the number of violence incidents against women. The practice of baad, depriving women of education, forced marriage, and verbal abuse have reportedly decreased in these provinces.143 People’s awareness has increased due to sustained awareness raising activities by NGOs. Also, religious scholars have been working with DoHRA on how to provide advice to men on the need to prevent violence against women.144 The numbers of cases of violence reported in the center of provinces are generally higher than those reported in districts. In districts and rural areas, women do not usually go to police or the judicial institutions to report violence due to lack of access and pressure from family and community.145 Processing cases of violence by the formal justice system has improved in Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, and Laghman provinces. Cases of violence are investigated and resolved as per the EVAW Law provisions. Increased number of women in the formal justice system is credited for some of this improvement.146 In contrast, in Balkh most women are said to prefer traditional justice mechanisms because they fear being mistreated by male formal justice officials, some of whom openly ask for sexual favors before attending to a case.147 In Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces, the views about the formal justice system are mixed. Some say that women’s cases are treated as priority and are resolved as per the EVAW Law provisions. They also point to the positive role of government institutions such as DoWA, non-government organizations such as WAW, and entities such as AIHRC that provide advice and free legal services for women.148 Others point out that legal cases brought by women often take a long time, at least two months, to process and that victims of violence who wish to make a legal case are advised by formal bodies to find other means to resolve their grievances and drop formal charges.149 The main barriers to formal justice for women are corruption in the formal justice system, traditional conservatism in family and community restricting many women from airing their grievances in public, the apparent efficiency of the traditional justice system, and insufficient number of female employees in this formal sector.150 142 KI-M-BAM-GO-10, confirmed by: 97 KIs and 28 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, Kunduz, Nimruz

and Samangan. 143 KI-F-NAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 44 KIs and 9 FGDs in Nangarhar, Laghman and Khost. 144 KI-F-NAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 24 KIs and 4 FGDs in Nangarhar and Laghman. 145 KI-F-KAN-NG-3, confirmed by: 11 KIs and 8 FGDs in Nimruz and Kandahar. 146 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 66 KIs and 15 FGDs in Kabul, Bamyan, Daikundi, Herat and Laghman. 147 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 16 KIs and 5 FGDs in Balkh. 148 KI-F-KAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 18 KIs and 1 FGDs in Kandahar and Nangarhar. 149 KI-M-KAN-NG-1, confirmed by: 1 FGD in Kandahar. 150 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 56 KIs and 19 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Herat and Nimruz.

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Prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women has not changed in all provinces, except for Kunduz and Nangarhar. Consistent with previous monitoring cycle, security forces try to prosecute perpetrators to best of their abilities. However, there is discontent about the speed at which the police pursue the perpetrators who often flee to areas where Afghan Security Forces have no control.151 In Kunduz, prosecution of perpetrators of violence has reportedly weakened. Increased numbers of armed men, growing insecurity, and government losing control in rural areas have negatively affected prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women.152 In Nangarhar, perpetrators are reportedly freed in exchange for money or on the account of their connection in senior government officials. Criminal records can be manipulated in exchange for money while cases can take months to be processed.153 In the districts in all provinces the majority of cases are mediated by local elders.154 In Herat, Nimruz, and districts of Kandahar, Kunduz, and Khost provinces, public awareness about violence against women has not changed in the last four months. Awareness raising activities by government and non-government organizations have been reduced significantly because of the general deterioration in insecurity.155 Public awareness about violence against women has increased in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Kandahar (center), Kunduz (center), Nangarhar, Samangan, Laghman, and Khost (center). Government institutions such as DoWA, the police, and DoHRA, non-government organizations such as UN Women, WAW, ECW, EPD, EWN, IMC, ABM and PCBO, and entities such as AIHRC continue to hold awareness raising events about women’s rights and the need for the elimination of violence against women.156 There are some complaints, however, that there is insufficient awareness raising programming.157

Achievements

Balkh:

● Traditional justice mechanisms continue to be widely used though there is some coordination with the formal justice system, particularly for cases that cannot be resolved informally.

Bamyan:

● Awareness about women’s rights has increased in the center and districts of this province. Government and non-government institutions provide regular awareness raising events.

Daikundi:

● No tangible change.

151 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 154 KIs and 48 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Herat, Kabul, Kunduz, Nimruz,

Laghman, Samangan and Khost. 152 KI-F-KUN-NG-5, confirmed by: 12 KIs and 6 FGDs in Kunduz. 153 KI-M-NAN-GO-5, confirmed by: 11 KIs and 1 FGDs in Nangarhar. 154 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 63 KIs and 15 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan and Daikundi. 155 FGD-F-HER-GO-1, confirmed by: 27 KIs and 11 FGDs in Herat, Kandahar, Nimruz and Khost. 156 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 97 KIs and 28 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Kunduz,

Nangarhar, Laghman and Khost. 157 FGD-M-KAN-GO-1, confirmed by: 1 KI and 1 FGD in Kandahar.

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Herat:

● Judicial institutions are in contact with local elders in Karukh and Guzara districts to solve cases through locally first and, if successful, to refer them to the formal justice system.

Kabul:

● Awareness about women’s rights has increased through awareness raising programs by government and non-government organization, as well as through media.

Kandahar:

● A case of forced marriage was successfully prosecuted in the past four months.

Khost:

● The practices of baad and forced marriage have decreased. ● Religious scholars have been advising people against violence against women

in their Friday prayer sermons.

Kunduz:

● Government and non-government institutions continue to hold awareness programs in the center.

Laghman:

● DoHRA is working with religious scholars to raise awareness against violence against women.

● Women are provided with free legal advice by NGOs.

Nangarhar:

● Women receive free legal advice through non-government organizations. ● DoHRA is working with religious scholars to raise awareness against violence

against women.

Nimruz:

● Women’s employment in the formal justice system has made the system more approachable / accessible for women.

● Two perpetrators of violence against women were successfully prosecuted.

Samangan:

● No tangible change.

Setbacks

Balkh:

● More than 50 cases of violence against women were registered in the last four months.

Bamyan:

● Local elders’ intervention in solving cases of violence has negatively affected access to fair and transparent justice.

Daikundi:

● No tangible change.

Herat:

● Fifty cases of violence, including murder, baad, forced marriage, and physical and psychological violence were recorded in the past four months.

● Perpetrators of violence, in some cases, either flee abroad or are set free by powerful local figures.

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● DoWA and DoHRA are criticized for not doing sufficient awareness raising programming.

Kabul:

● There are reports of increased levels of violence against women, attributed mainly to economic hardship, drug addiction and harassment through social media.

Kandahar:

● Forty-five cases of beating of women and 20 cases of women escaping from home were recorded by DoWA.

● Some formal justice employees are said to advise women victims of violence to be more tolerant rather than making a legal case against their perpetrators.

Khost:

● No tangible change.

Kunduz:

● Increase in the number of men with arms, weak rule of law and impunity for perpetrators of violence have negatively affected the ability to prosecute perpetrators of violence.

● Women have not received any awareness rasing programs in Imam Sahib district in the last four months.

Laghman:

● No tangible change.

Nangarhar:

● Some formal justice officials ask complainants for money and other assets as the condition for processing their cases.

Nimruz:

● Four women were murdered in the past four months, three of them by their husbands, and one by her mother in law.

● Increased number of men taking drugs and drinking alcohol are said to be among the main drivers of violence against women.

Samangan:

● Sexual discrimination remains strong in this province. ● In some cases, perpetrators of violence join Armed Opposition Groups (AOG) to

escape prosecution.

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Relieve and Recovery

Women’s access to economic opportunities has improved in Bamyan. Thirty five women were trained in areas of shoemaking and cell phone repairing, each being paid a stipend of 3,500 Afs per month. Also, they were provided with work materials at the end of the training to start their own business.158 In Herat, agricultural producers and NGOs have been offering programs for women, especially in the districts to start small agricultural businesses, grow saffron, and receive training in learning centers. The PROMOTE project has internship positions for women while DoWA has assisted in providing skills training for a group of women in tailoring, embroidery, and other handicraft courses.159 In Kunduz, UNHCR, ORD, NPO-RRA, ADA, DACAAR, and NRC in cooperation with DoRR and DoLSAMD have established small agricultural farms, animal farms and courses in tailoring, embroidery, and weaving for women.160 In Samangan, women are employed as part of the Citizens’ Charter program. Training programs have also been offered by DoLSAMD, IEC, AfghanAid, and other NGOs.161 Economic opportunities for women in Daikundi, Kandahar, Nimruz, Laghman and Khost province are relatively limited. The government does not have any specific programs to empower women, and in some of these provinces as the main women-centered program, the PROMOTE project, has ceased its activities.162 Women’s access to financial resources has improved in Balkh, Herat, and Kunduz provinces. An NGO supported by the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Balkh is providing micro-loans for women. DoRRD has introduced a women empowerment program in Balkh, Dehdadi, and Charkando Nahr Shahi districts. Women also receive financial assistance through ORD organization. In Herat, women have received assistance through DAIL and some NGOs.163 In Ali Abad district of Kunduz, women are provided with micro-loans by private banks.164 In Bamyan, Daikundi, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Laghman and Khost provinces women’s access to financial resources has not changed and there have been no programs to enable women to access markets to sell their products, for example.165 In Samangan there are no barriers to access to education, except in areas where government presence and/or control is weak.166 In Kunduz, girls are allowed to attend school until the 6th grade in areas controlled by Armed Opposition Groups.167 There are no girls’ schools in Arghandab district of Kandahar

158 KI-M-BAM-GO-9, confirmed by: 24 KIs and 5 FGDs in Bamyan. 159 KI-M-HER-GO-12، confirmed by: 6 KIs and 1 FGD in Herat. 160 KI-F-KUN-NG-5, confirmed by: 10 KIs and 3 FGDs in Kunduz. 161 KI-M- SAM -GO-12, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 3 FGDs in Samangan. 162 KI-F-DAI-GO-19, confirmed by: 73 KIs and 20 FGDs in Daikundi, Kandahar, Nimruz, Laghman and Khost. 163 FGD-M-HER-GO-2، confirmed by: 3 KIs in Herat. 164 KI-M-KUN-NG-6, confirmed by: 1 KI and 1 FGD in Kunduz. 165 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 122 KIs and 25 FGDs in Bamyan, Daikundi, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Nimruz,

Laghman and Khost. 166 KI-M- SAM -GO-12, confirmed by: 9 KIs and 3 FGDs in Samangan. 167 KI-F-KUN-NG-5, confirmed by: 13 KIs and 5 FGDs in Kunduz.

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because they are disallowed, reportedly, by local elders.168 Access to education has improved in Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nimruz provinces and decreased in Kandahar, Kabul, and Herat provinces (Figure 3). Figure 3: Women's Access to Education

n=635 Women’s access to health services has reportedly improved in the last four months. In Balkh, a 360-bed hospital was recently inaugurated and several health centers are being built in districts of the province. Women are also being provided with psychological assistance.169 Improvements are also reported in Laghman and Khost provinces. Women receive health services as well as psychiatric counseling in health centers.170 As with all provinces, health and education services are more available in the center than the districts.171 In Istalif district of Kabul, the clinic now provides around the clock ambulance and health services. In Kabul city, most of medical tests are carried out in-house, rather than abroad. The quality of the health service and medicines remain as challenges, however. In Herat, there are reportedly 150 healthcare centers, up from 97. Nurses are present in all these centers 24 hours a day. In rural areas, mobile clinics provide basic health services.172 In Nangarhar, women receive health services, including psychotherapy, in all districts of the province. Female victims of violence are assisted in enrolling in schools.173 Mobile health service providers are credited for much of the improvement in health service provision in Nimruz province.174

168 KI-M-KAN-GO-13, confirmed by: 4 KIs and 2 FGDs in Kandahar. 169 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 8 KIs and 2 FGDs in Balkh. 170 KI-M-LAG-GO-8, confirmed by: 33 KIs and 7 FGDs in Khost and Laghman. 171 KI-M- SAM -GO-12, confirmed by: 9 KIs and 2 FGDs in Samangan. 172 KI-F-HER-GO-8, confirmed by: 6 KIs and 3 FGDs in Herat. 173 KI-M-NAN-GO-6, confirmed by: 23 KIs and 5 FGDs in Nangarhar. 174 KI-F-NIM-NG-1, confirmed by: 12 KIs and 4 FGDs in Nimruz.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Balkh

Bamya

n

Daikundi

HeratKab

ul

Kandah

ar

Kunduz

Lagh

man

Nanga

har

Nimruz

Saman

gan

Decreased

I don't know

Increased

No change

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There have been no changes in access to health for women in Bamyan, Daikundi, Kunduz, and districts of Kandahar.175 Figure 4: Women's Access to Health

n=635 Women’s access to health services has improved in Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nimruz provinces, due mainly to mobile clinics being active throughout the provinces. Recovery services for survivors of gender-based violence have reportedly improved in Bamyan, Kabul, Herat, Nangarhar, Samangan, Laghman, and Khost provinces. This category of women is provided with psychiatric counseling in health center and safehouses. They are also provided with awareness raising programs.176 There have been no changes in recovery services for the survivors of gender-based violence in Daikundi, Kandahar, and Nimruz provinces in the past four months.177 Psychiatric counseling is no longer offered in Mirwais Hospital due to lack of funding.178 Women’s protection in safehouses is reported to be better in Balkh, Kabul, Herat, and Nangarhar provinces. The women receive healthcare services, psychiatric counseling, free lawyers, and skills training.179 In Bamyan, Daikundi, Kunduz, and Samangan provinces, no improvement is reported in women’s protection in safehouses. The perception of safehouses remains largely negative and there are no safehouses in the district of these provinces.180

175 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 48 KIs and 10 FGDs in Bamyan and Daikundi. 176 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 82 KIs and 17 FGDs in Bamyan, Kabul, Herat, Nangarhar, Laghman, Khost and

Samangan. 177 KI-F-DAI-PI-1, confirmed by: 36 KIs and 10 FGDs in Daikundi and Nimruz. 178 KI-F-KAN-PI-1, confirmed by: 1 KI in Kandahar. 179 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 43 KIs and 8 FGDs in Balkh, Kabul, Herat and Nangarhar. 180 KI-F-BAM-GO-4, confirmed by: 79 KIs and 18 FGDs in Bamyan, Daikundi, Kunduz, Nimruz and Samangan.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Balkh

Bamya

n

Daikundi

HeratKab

ul

Kandah

ar

Kunduz

Lagh

man

Nanga

har

Nimruz

Saman

gan

Decreased

I don't know

Increased

No change

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There are no safehouse in Kandahar, Khost and Laghman provinces. For protection, victims of gender-based violence are usually kept in prison until they can be transferred elsewhere.181 In Laghman, women are sent to a safehouse in Nangarhar province.182 Table 7. The Number of Women in Safehouses According to DoWA, AIHRC and DoI

Provinces DoWA AIHRC DoI Balkh 11 13 3 Bamyan 5 - 16 Daikundi 16 - - Herat 0 145 149 Kabul - - - Kandahar 0 0 0 Kunduz 16 6 23 Laghman - - 0 Nangarhar 35 29 29 Nimruz 17 - 0 Samangan 7 - 8 Grand Total 107 193 228

Service provision for widowed and disabled women has not changed in the majority of the provinces. There have been no changes in food distribution and financial assistance provided by NGOs and government institutions.183 There are complaints about the unfair distribution of food and other forms of assistance, with those with connections receiving the bulk of the assistance being provided.184 Displaced women’s access to key services such as education and healthcare has reportedly not changed in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kunduz, and Nangarhar provinces. Mobile health clinics are active throughout the districts, including those hosting the displaced. The children of the displaced are enrolled in schools on the condition that they have proper documentation or tested and then admitted if they do not have documentation.185 There have been no changes in service delivery to displaced women in Daikundi, Herat, and Nimruz provinces. The children enjoy access to key services such as education and healthcare.186 Access to employment for displaced women remains unchanged, and in adequate, in all provinces except for Kunduz and Nangarhar where access has decreased in the last four months.187

181 KI-F-KAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 1 KI in Kandahar. 182 KI-M-LAG-GO-9, confirmed by: 19 KIs and 4 FGDs in Laghman. 183 FGD-M- BAL -GO-3, confirmed by: 86 KIs and 17 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Herat, Kunduz, Nangarhar,

Samangan, Laghman and Khost. 184 FGD-F-DAI-GO-1, confirmed by: 25 KIs and 7 FGDs in Daikundi, Kandahar and Kunduz. 185 KI-M- BAL -GO-8, confirmed by: 71 KIs and 15 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kunduz and Nangarhar. 186 FGD-F-DAI-GO-1, confirmed by: 40 KIs and 15 FGDs in Daikundi, Herat and Nimruz. 187 KI-F- BAL -GO-4, confirmed by: 110 KIs and 31 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Kabul, Herat, Nimruz,

Samangan and Laghman.

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In Kunduz, displaced women’s access to employment opportunities has improved through skills training programs delivered by NGOs who also help the women in securing jobs.188 In Nangarhar, NGOs deliver programs to train displaced women in carpentry and cellphone repair.189 Humanitarian aid delivery to displaced women has reportedly improved in all provinces. NGOs and international organization such as UNHCR, WFP, UNO, ORD, NRC, DRC, WHO, IOM, and ADA and government institutions such as DoRR and DoRRD have been providing food, shelter, clothing, kitchen appliances, and financial assistance.190

Achievements

Balkh:

● An NGO provides micro-loans for displaced women in Dawlat Abad, Sholgara, and Dehdadi districts.

● ORD office has provided financial support for vulnerable women through their PESN project and has built a 12-classroom school for IDPs

● An NGO provides “Food for Work”, supported by WFP. ● Two new hospitals were inaugurated in the province recently. ● Female victims of violence are provided with psychiatric counseling.

Bamyan:

● 35 women were trained shoemaking and cellphone repairing skills, each receiving a monthly stipend of 3,500 Afs.

● Health centers have safehouses psychiatrists to protect and assist victims of violence.

● In Shibar district, 150 displaced families received financial aid of 9,000 Afs each. In Yakawlang district, 15,017 families received financial aid of 18,000 Afs over a six months period.

● 1,230 IDPs from Ghazni have received aid including blankets, rice, oil, kitchen appliances, 200 KG of coal and 50 KG of wood fuel. Over 123 families received financial assistance of over 24,000 Afs.

Daikundi:

● 339 IDPs have received a total sum of 7,165,000 Afs with each family receiving between 13,000 to 24,000 Afs. 29 families with special needs received a total sum of 256,000 Afs, with each family receiving between 7,000 - 9,000 Afs. 302 families received kitchen kit. 131 families received aid package of rice, blanket, and kitchen appliances and 131 families received financial assistance of 15,000 Afs each.

Herat: ● A Women’s Trade Union is established in Herat City.

188 KI-M-KUN-GO-9, confirmed by: 4 KIs in Kunduz. 189 KI-F-NAN-GO-4, confirmed by: 10 KIs and 2 FGDs in Nangarhar. 190 KI-F-BAL-GO-4, confirmed by: 113 KIs and 23 FGDs in Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Daikundi, Herat, Kandahar, Kunduz,

Nangarhar, Nimruz, Samangan and Khost.

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● There are 150 health centers in Herat province, up from 97. There are nurses in all centers during day and night. In rural areas mobile clinics are available.

● Legal advice is provided for women victims of violence. ● 12,000 IDP families received 6,000 Afs financial assistance each, and 9,000

families received clothing and other in-kind aid.

Kabul:

● Women were provided with carpet weaving material after completing their training. Also, 30 women in Farza and 30 in Shakardara districts were provided with tailoring training.

● Istalif hospital now provides 24/7 ambulance services.

Kandahar:

● 7 IDP girls were enrolled in school in the center of the province. ● 4 women with mental health issues are being diagnosed and treated, with

financial support from DRC. ● OHW Organization in cooperation with UNHCR has been providing handicraft

skills development training for nearly 500 women in Mirwais Mina.

Khost:

● Women receive free psychiatric counseling in hospitals in the city center. ● IDPs have access to mobile clinics in this province.

Kunduz:

● UNHCR, ORD, NPO, ADA, DACAAR and NRC provide handicraft training opportunities for women in cooperation with DoRR and DoLSAMD.

● 500 women underwent vocational training provided by UNHCR and DoRR. ● Women receive psychiatric advice in the central hospital, Hewad Organization

and the safehouse. ● OHW and HI Organizations provide mobile clinics in this province.

Laghman:

● Women receive free psychiatric counseling in hospitals located in the city center.

● Health Net Organization provides mobile clinics in this province.

Nangarhar:

● Women receive psychiatric advice in some districts of this province. ● 30 families received winter aid packages including clothing, food and blankets. ● DoPH and AADA organizations provide mobile clinics in this province.

Nimruz:

● Mobile clinics in Nimruz province have improved health services provision. ● 25 women receive vocational training through OHW Organization and are

assisted in finding employment.

Samangan:

• 15 women received training in baking, finding employment in a confection factory operated by IDO in cooperation with DoWA.

● DoLSAMD provided handicraft training for 100 women in areas of embroidery, and tailoring. AfghanAid organization has provided the same for 10,000 families in six villages of Hazrat Sultan district.

● A psychotherapy center was recently inaugurated in Samangan hospital to provide counseling for women.

● A health counseling center, particularly for youth is recently inaugurated in Samangan.

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● UNHCR distributed health kits to 50 women. 56 families received financial assistance of 15,000 Afs each, and 200 families received winter aid kit from UNHCR.

Setbacks

Balkh:

● The public perception of safehouses remains negative. There are no safe houses in the districts.

Bamyan:

● There are no safehouses in the districts of this province.

Daikundi:

● The PROMOTE project ceased its activities in this province for unknown reasons.

● Women do not have a specific marketplace to sell their handicraft products. ● There is no safehouse in Shahristan district.

Herat:

● There are no safehouses in the districts of this province. ● There are almost 100,000 female IDPs in this province, and very few of them

have adequate access to education or health centers.

Kabul:

● There are no safehouses in the districts of Kabul.

Kandahar:

● The PROMOTE project ceased their activities in this province. ● There is only one female school in Daman district, and no girls’ school in

Arghandab district. Local elders do not allow DoE to build school in these districts.

● Women do not have access to addiction rehabilitation centers in Kandahar. ● Hospitals in districts of Daman and Arghandab are no longer active. ● There is no psychotherapy center for victims of violence in Kandahar due to

shortages in funding. ● There is no safehouse across this province, women are sent to prison instead of

safehouse if they need protection.

Khost:

● Women do not have access to psychiatric counseling in Nadir Sha Kot and Mando Zayi districts.

● There is no safehouse in the province and the public’s view of safehouses is very negative..

Kunduz:

● There are no safehouses in Ali Abad and Imam Sahib districts. ● Widowed and disabled women often fall victim to corrupt officials withholding

their financial allowance.

Laghman:

● Health centers are active in districts, but they do not have psychotherapy sections. Stigma is attached to women who visit the psychotherapy sections where available.

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● There is no safehouse in the province. Women needing protection are sent to the safehouse Nangarhar province.

● IDPs in this province live away from population centers and have minimal or no access to schools and healthcare centers.

Nangarhar:

● There has been no tangible change.

Nimruz:

● There are no safehouses in Chakhansor and Kang districts.

Samangan:

● There are no safehouses in districts. Women needing protection are housed by female police officers until they can be transferred to the safehouse in the center of the province.

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Conclusion

Findings from this round of monitoring shows that awareness of NAP 1325 is increasing in provincial centers but not in the districts. Awareness programs are conducted by government and non-government organizations aiming to increase people’s awareness in most provinces. The security situation has been unstable while crime has been rising, particularly in armed robbery, abduction and murder. The percentage of women in the civil service has been steadily rising with the highest percentages being in education, health and security sectors. Women’s employment rate is far higher in city centers than districts. In some provinces, women’s have been promoted to leadership positions. A number of interns supported by the PROMOTE project lost their jobs due to the project ceasing activities in some provinces. Traditional conservatism, corruption, nepotism, lack of political support, and the holding of entrance exam for the civil service in Kabul are among the most frequently cited reasons for women not applying for civil service jobs. A series of conferences focusing on increased women’s participation in the peace process were held in several provinces. HPC is in the process of finalizing its gender policy while the total number of female members in the Provincial Peace Councils has increased to 102. Also, there are now 16 women in leadership positions at HPC. Women’s participation in the parliamentary elections as voters and candidates is viewed by many as satisfactory while there is general satisfaction with awareness raising programs through TV, radio and social media aimed at increasing women’s participation. With some notable exceptions, security forces were able to maintain order at election sites. There was some disquiet about the disqualification of some candidates and the technical problems with the biometric devises, lack of ballot paper, and late opening of election sites. Findings from this round of monitoring indicate that EVAW Law is increasing being used, particularly in provincial centers, as the main source for investigating cases of violence against women and bringing charges against the perpetrators. In districts traditional justice prevails, however. A 16-day anti-violence against women campaign was held in several provinces throughout the country. NGOs have continued their awareness-raising programs, including in provincial districts, on violence against women. Some religious scholars have declared violence against women as a crime and a major sin. In a number of provincial centers there are phone numbers that could be called 24/7 by women to report cases of violence or harassment to Police Headquarters. Access to formal justice for women continues to be hampered by the low number of women working in the formal justice system, dissuading many women, particularly in provincial districts, from registering their cases. In rural areas traditional justice prevails. Women’s access to economic opportunities has reportedly improved in most of the provinces. Government departments and NGOs continue to provide skills development workshops and start-up

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assistance for women. NGOs in cooperation with DoRR and DoLSAMD have established small agricultural and animal raising farms.

Recommendations

The following recommendations are presented in a “rolling” fashion, in that they contain all the recommendations from the fifth round of monitoring that have not yet been addressed as well new recommendations that have come to light in this round of monitoring.

Government of Afghanistan

1. Maintain efforts to implement NAP 1325 by raising awareness in governmental agencies at national and sub-national levels.

2. Support efforts to localize the implementation of NAP 1325 at the provincial and district levels through working with civil society by establishing working groups at the provincial and district levels.

3. Ensure women’s active participation in the peace process at national and sub-national levels. 4. Continue support for IARCSC in its efforts to increase the number of qualified women in the civil

service while taking steps to conduct entrance exams in the provinces. 5. Ensure that harassment at the workplace is addressed through a mix of awareness raising,

establishment of confidential complaint mechanisms, and setting examples by punishing perpetrators of sexual harassment at the workplace.

6. Continue to engage religious leaders in promoting women’s rights, the fight against violence against women, and the importance of including women in the peace process.

7. Enhance efforts to increase the number of qualified women in the formal justice sector. 8. Increase the provision of mental health services for victims of gender-based violence through

establishing special psychiatric departments in public hospitals. 9. Ensure that victims of gender-based violence have access to safe shelters through establishing

more shelters throughout the country in collaboration with traditional authorities and structures.

Civil Society and International Community

1. Provide assistance to the Government of Afghanistan for revising the NAP 1325 implementation, coordination and reporting mechanisms.

2. In supporting the government, emphasize the localization of NAP 1325 at the provincial and district levels, particularly in peace processes.

3. Demand a dedicated monitoring mechanism, reporting, and evaluation of implementation efforts from the government, particularly MoFA as the lead agency, and UN Women as the international support agency.

4. Continue to invest in awareness raising programs, including for men and boys, to encourage women’s participation in the civil service, security forces, and social affairs.

5. Support the government in its efforts to establish more accessible mechanisms for reporting violence against women.

6. Support the government in maintaining the current safe houses and establishing new ones, particularly in provinces where they currently do not exist.

7. Contribute to the provisions of better mental health at public hospitals.

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Appendix 1: Indicators

Participation 1. Changes in women’s presence in civil services:

- Changes in laws, policies and regulations or start of other initiatives to strengthen women’s participation;

- Changes in the number and positions of women in the civil services; - Changes in women’s occupation in leadership positions in governmental entities; - Changes in workplace environment (such as improved complaints mechanisms for

women, etc.); 2. Changes (in favor of or against women) in the security sector:

- Any changes in policy/programs/ or start of new projects (such as women-only training, encouragement);

- Changes in the number of women in leadership positions in the security sector; - Changes in work environment and women’s recruitment and promotion;

3. Changes in women’s presence in peace process: - Changes in policies, programs and regulations to ensure women’s participation in peace

process; - Changes in women’s involvement in policy making positions in peace process; - Changes in the number of women involved in the peace process, and their involvement

in drafting of peace policies/strategies; - Changes in peace negotiations that neglected or favored women’s rights;

4. Changes in women’s participation in national and provincial elections: - Changes in the election law, policies or regulations; to foster women’s participation

both as voters and candidates; - Changes in security situation (which could encourage/ prevent women to participate in

the elections); - Programs/initiatives to promote women’s role in the election; - Any new/old barrier/ challenges against women to participate in public and political life;

Protection

1. Mechanisms to protect women from violence: - Changes in existing mechanisms to protect women from domestic violence; - Changes in existing mechanisms to protect women from violence in public spaces; - Changes in existing mechanisms to protect women from violence at workplace;

2. Mechanisms to report violence against women: - Changes in mechanisms to report cases of violence against women; - Changes in barriers for female victims to report cases of violence;

3. Women’s access to effective and accountable justice: - Changes in women’s access to efficient and accountable justice; - Improvement in the implementation of the EVAW Law; - Gender-sensitive reforms of the justice sector; - Changes in women’s conditions in the prisons;

4. Protection of women by the security forces: - Any new policies/programs for the security forces concerning women’s protection from

violence;

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- Changes in the treatment of women by the security forces, particularly the ANP; Prevention

1. Types and levels of violence against women: - Types, levels and number of violence incidents against women; - Treatment of cases of violence against women by the justice system; - Challenges for women to access efficient and accountable justice;

2. Elimination of culture of impunity:

- Prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women; - Public awareness about violence against women;

Relief & Recovery

3. Changes in vulnerability of women: - Changes in women’s access to economic opportunities; - Changes in women’s access to financial resources; - Changes in women’s access to education and health services;

4. Relief and Recovery services for vulnerable women: - Changes in recovery services to survivors of gender based violence; - Changes in services for vulnerable women, such as women widowed or disabled as a

result of conflict; 5. Implementation of IDPs policy provisions related to UNSCR 1325:

- Changes in displaced women’s access to key services such as education and healthcare; - Changes in displaced women’s access to employment opportunities; - Changes in humanitarian aid delivery to displaced women;

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Appendix 2: References and Coding

Each code consists of four units of information; the table below shows the types of interview and interviewee as well as the province in which the interview has taken place. For example, KI-F-SAM-GO-11 indicates: KI = Key Informant F = Female SAM = Samangan GO = Government 11 = Sequence More generally, the following protocols are used to code respondents:

Unit within the code Description of the abbreviation KI Key Informant Interviewee FGD Focus Group Discussion F/M Female or Male interviewee KAB/BAL/DAI/NAN/HER/PAC/PAR/TAK The first three letters of the province name covered for data

collection GO/NG Government/Non-government Number Indicates the sequence of the key informant interview or

focus group discussion.