Region:Asia Pacific
Current UN Women Plan Period Afghanisthan:2018-2022
World Bank Income Classification:Low Income
The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.
Least Developed Country:Yes
Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.
Gender Inequality Index:0.575
GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.
Gender Development Index:0.723
GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025
Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision
Male:19,976,265 (9.5%)
Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
outcome XM-DAC-41146-AFG_D_3.3
Women survivors of VAWG have increased access to quality, comprehensive services
There has been some progress on this outcome. In the light of a constrained operating context women civil society organizations are operating, UN Women Afghanistan strategy and approach has been to provide support to CSOs to deliver coordinated, comprehensive support to women ang girl survivors of violence, with some elements of awareness raising integrated in programming, which have reached at least 1,673 people (f-860; m-813). This was done primarily through funding support, institutional capacity development, as well as work to develop standard operation procedures (SOPs), guidelines, guidance for VAWG services, in line with international standards developed and/or updated with the support of UN Women. During the reporting year, a total of 21 civil society organizations (CSO) partners have received support to operate across 12 provinces of Afghanistan. Through the operations of Women Protection Centers (WPCs), 193 survivors of violence and 57 accompanied children accessed coordinated, quality, essential services during the year 2022. Through the operation of Family Recourse Centers (FRCs), 9,834 women accessed coordinated, quality, essential services during the year 2022. Furthermore, during the reporting period, UN Women Afghanistan provided technical assistance to the Essential Services Network (ESN) to find a consensus on governance structure and objectives of the network, which has been mobilized to ensure increased access to comprehensive and coordinated GBV services. Thus far the original strategy and ToC for this outcome is largely still applicable. However, the renewed risk to safety and security, movement restrictions and ban on NGO workers, will have extensive impacts on the feasibility of women and girl survivors and those at risk of violence to access quality, comprehensive services. This also comes with risks and anticipated regression on progress and operations. Therefore, the ToC and accompanying programme strategy is being reviewed for 2023 to allow for greater flexibility, innovation and focus on prevention.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-AFG_D_3.4
(Deactivated) An enabling legislative and policy environment in line with international standards on EVAW is in place and translated into action
Not Applicable in 2022
outcome XM-DAC-41146-AFG_D_3.5
Civil society organizations are able to advocate on, and prevent and respond to VAWG through support from the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Spotlight Initiative Fund
There has been some progress on this outcome. Following the siege of power by the de facto authorities mid-August 2021, the gender equality architecture in Afghanistan was dismantled with the abolishment of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and the absence of any women in the de facto authority governing structure. Many women leaders—from all walks of life—fled the country, fearing the consequences for dedicating their lives to gender equality. While women’s civil society continues to exist in Afghanistan, their operations have been significantly controlled by the de facto authorities and curtailed. In this operating context, UN Women focus in 2022, was on strategic engagement with the Taliban to realize gender specific outcomes including on women needs and the need for shelters supporting survivors of violence which were closed to be re/opened. In the light of a constrained operating context women civil society organizations are operating, UN Women strategy and approach included support to CSOs to deliver coordinated, comprehensive support to women ang girl survivors of violence, with some awareness raising integrated in programming, which have reached at least 1,673 people (f-860; m-813). This was done primarily through the provision of institutional and programming grants. In addition, overall, 21 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been funded and technically supported to advocate, respond, and prevent VAWG through the provision of capacity development. Trainings and awareness of staff on gender, prevention from sexual exploitation and abuse and child protection policies were conducted, which increased the capacity to comply with internal policies and ensure effective management of resources. This provided initial background for the development of essential risk and EVAW strategies and other tools that have strengthened organizations’ accountability mechanisms towards local communities and are continued to use by staff in their efforts to protect and promote women and girls against GBV. For what concerns human resources, partner CSOs have adopted policies and different tools to protect women and girls’ safety, physical and mental health, and security so they can ensure that women human rights are respected. Trainings were also provided to staff on how to work together for tackling family violence, gender concepts, different forms of violence against women, self-help group management, communication, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting, how to prioritize the GBV survivor’s rights needs and empower women, and Psycho-Social Counselling. Thus far the original strategy and ToC for this outcome is largely still applicable. If as expected this strategy to engage partners via a capacity development model is successful, then continued support will ensure and continually increase advocacy efforts on as well as prevention and response to VAWG.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-AFG_D_3.6
National and sub-national institutions and organisations have the commitment, knowledge and capacities to legislate, advocate, plan, implement and monitor policies to prevent and respond to SGBV and HP
There has been some progress on this outcome in 2022 for Afghanistan. Following the siege of power by the de facto authorities mid-August 2021, the gender equality architecture in Afghanistan was dismantled with the abolishment of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and the absence of any women in the de facto authority governing structure. Many women leaders—from all walks of life—fled the country, fearing the consequences for dedicating their lives to gender equality. While women’s civil society continues to exist in Afghanistan, their operations have been significantly controlled by the de facto authorities and curtailed. In this operating context, UN Women focus in 2022, was on strategic engagement with the Taliban to realize gender specific outcomes including on women needs and the need for shelters supporting survivors of violence which were closed to be re/opened. In the light of a constrained operating context women civil society organizations are operating, UN Women Afghanistan made some progress on this outcome in 2022. UN Women strategy and approach included support to CSOs to deliver coordinated, comprehensive support to women ang girl survivors of violence, with some awareness raising integrated in programming, which have reached at least 1,673 people (f-860; m-813). This was done primarily through the provision of institutional and programming grants as well as technical and advisory support to deliver evidence-based programmes that prevent and respond to SGBV and harmful practices. Furthermore, UN Women supported partners with the development of an EVAWG training manual, which is being finalized. A company was identified to conduct the media assessment. A prevention action plan is being developed and will inform of opportunities for agency collaboration. Thus far the original strategy and ToC for this outcome is largely still applicable. However, the new ban on women work will larger impact on organizations to work due to lack of female staff to provide essential services or engage on prevention.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-AFG_D_4.1
An enabling environment for the implementation of WPS commitments is fostered.
UN Women Afghanistan created an enabling environment for WPS by facilitating spaces for Afghan women to influence international decision-making on Afghanistan; as well as making gender analysis of themes related to peace and security available to support gender sensitive interventions and decision-making.Disclaimer and notes
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
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