"I Thought Our Life Might Get Better" Implementing Afghanistan’s Elimination of Violence against Women Law
Date of Publication
2021 12:00 AM
Security Theme
Human Rights
Keywords
Human Rights, human rights, violence against women, sexual discrimination, equal rights
Description
The international reconstruction effort in Afghanistan after 2001 created an opportunity to advance human rights, and women’s and girls’ rights in particular. Although its achievements have fallen short of what was envisioned, significant improvements in legal protections have emerged through the adoption of new and revised laws, the founding and growth of legal aid organizations, and the training of a cadre of women lawyers, prosecutors, and judges. In addition, efforts by nongovernmental organizations and some governmental bodies to support legal aid and implement reforms have had significant impact in increasing access to justice for women, notably the 2009 Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) law.
"I Thought Our Life Might Get Better" Implementing Afghanistan’s Elimination of Violence against Women Law
The international reconstruction effort in Afghanistan after 2001 created an opportunity to advance human rights, and women’s and girls’ rights in particular. Although its achievements have fallen short of what was envisioned, significant improvements in legal protections have emerged through the adoption of new and revised laws, the founding and growth of legal aid organizations, and the training of a cadre of women lawyers, prosecutors, and judges. In addition, efforts by nongovernmental organizations and some governmental bodies to support legal aid and implement reforms have had significant impact in increasing access to justice for women, notably the 2009 Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) law.
