Outcome AFG_D_3.2

Favorable social norms, attitudes, and behaviors are promoted at individual, community and institutional levels to prevent VAW

Security challenges, instability, COVID-19, chronic poverty, drought and the political change in the government in August significantly impacted UN Women’s activities related to promoting favourable social norms, attitudes, and behaviours at individual, community, and institutional levels to prevent VAW. UN Women could not conduct training and activities related to the prevention of violence against women and girls. It prioritized continued service provision and safety and security of partners, staff, women and girls. In addition, delays in delivery from the contracted organization VOICE to develop the training materials and the deterioration of the security situation and fall of the republican government in August limited UN Women’s ability to strengthen capacities of national and community-level stakeholders in primary prevention of VAWG. However, UN Women Afghanistan has developed the required resources, including the development of a desk review on primary prevention in Afghanistan, training materials and a strategy for UN Women that will be used to build and strengthen the capacity of stakeholders on VAW primary prevention. This will inform and support primary prevention work in 2022. In addition, The development and implementation of a communication plan for social and behavioural change was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the security in the country.

Favorable social norms, attitudes, and behaviors are promoted at individual, community and institutional levels to prevent VAW

There is no change to report in 2022 for Afghanistan. Due to the Taliban takeover, it has not been possible for UN Women Afghanistan to work with national stakeholders and duty bearers in the area of primary prevention. Overall, however, UN Women Afghanistan has observed a regression due to a complex context and a scenario in which women’s rights are constantly violated whilst they are systematically excluded from public and political life. Women and girls in Afghanistan are experiencing and refers to what is happening as gender apartheid. And, considering the impossibility to talk about women's rights and the need to prioritize the safety and security of staff and partners, it was not possible to implement and measure progress on prevention interventions. Despite challenges since the Taliban take over, UN Women strategy during the reporting period was focused on advocating to reopen Family Resource Centers (FRC) and Women Protection Centers (WPC) with the aim of creating safe spaces for women and girl survivors and those at risk of violence to access essential services and awareness sessions, which have reached at least 1,673 people (f-860; m-813). Furthermore, UN Women continued to explore opportunities to progress capacity building of stakeholders on EVAW prevention and response, including as part of the redesign of the EVAW Services. UN Women continued developing and enriching the Capacity Development Plan on Gender, VAWG and Survivor-centered approach for the FRCs and the WPCs partners. The plan integrates prevention and service pillars to provide a holistic approach to VAWG. This component is critical to contribute to the shift in social norms to challenge the normalization of violence among women. 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.