WUNRN
Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women
55th session (July
2013)
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States examined, schedule and summary records |
Core document and State report |
Lists of issues and written replies |
Information provided to the
Committee |
Delegation lists and
statements |
Concluding Observations |
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Combined initial and second periodic report CEDAW/C/AFG/1-2 A C E F R S |
CEDAW/C/AFG/Q/1-2 A C E F R S CEDAW/C/AFG/Q/1-2/Add.1 A C E F R S
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List Statement |
CEDAW/C/AFG/CO/1-2 A C E F R S |
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Via Network for Afghan Women
Link in Afghan: http://8am.af/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24527:1390-12-23-16-04-21&catid=1:title&Itemid=553
Afghanistan Government Reports on CEDAW
Zafar Shahrouei - 8 Sobh Daily, 14 March 2012
The
government of Afghanistan has for the first time presented its
report on the implementation of the Convention for Elimination of
all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) nine years
after joining the convention in March 2003. The 100-page report
that was completed last year has specified the priorities and
requirements to improve the conditions of women in Afghanistan.
The report has described the Law for Elimination of Violence
against Women, the Family Law and the inclusion of the
convention’s provisions in several other laws as important steps
taken by the government to improve the conditions of women in
Afghanistan. Establishment of gender units within government
departments, formulation of new policies to develop women’s
rights and establishment of the High Commission to Eliminate
Violence against Women are other measures of the government
intended to implement the convention’s provisions.
Strong Challenges
The government, nevertheless, is facing important challenges
in regard to the implementation of all the regulations of
the convention. The government has named the continuing
insecurity in the country and undesirable traditions as some of
the challenges that prevent women from benefiting from their
rights. According to the report, women in the southern and
eastern parts of the country are subjected to violence more than
other areas. Armed conflict and the Taleban influence in those
regions have been mentioned as the principal factors causing the
increased violence against women. In the words of the report:
“Owing to insecurities, the government cannot properly offer
health, education and judicial services in some of the regions.
The presence of the NGOs is very weak in the insecure regions,
where they cannot offer services to the people. Therefore, victims
of domestic violence have access to legal means.”
The report has listed domestic violence, self-immolation, forced
and under-age marriage, and rape as the most important
problems of women. The most important reasons for the violence
against women are widespread illiteracy among men and women,
extensive poverty and lack of knowledge of women’s rights among
the people.
Nevertheless, the authorities have called the presentation of the
report as an important step toward improving women’s conditions
and they say the government is committed to all its international
obligations regarding the improvement of women’s conditions.
Ms. Asila Wardak, head of the Human Rights and International
Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one of
the main writers of the report, said trips had been made to all
parts of Afghanistan to prepare the report. On the other hand
Minister of Women’s Affairs Hassan Banu Ghazanfar said that
the presentation of the report would assure the international
community that the government is committed to its international
obligations for improvement of the conditions of women.
Deputy Director of UNAMA’s Women’s Section, Najia Ziwari, said
the report would be examined next year and the government will
receive recommendations from the Committee on the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women.