*EPF404 05/09/2002
Fact Sheet: Political and Security Situation of Women in Afghanistan
(Issued by State Dept's International Women's Issues Office May 9) (1180)

The following fact sheet was issued by the State Department's Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues May 9 about the political and security situation of women in Afghanistan:

(begin fact sheet)

FACT SHEET Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues Last Updated: May 2002

Political and Security Situation of Women in Afghanistan

Background

Afghanistan today is a country devastated by years of war, poverty and oppressive rule. Before the Taliban came to power, it was a traditional country where women often took a subordinate role. Even so, prior to the Soviet invasion in 1979, women made up:

-- 74 percent of all teachers;

-- 40 percent of all doctors;

-- and 30 percent of all government workers.

The last Loya Jirga (national council), held in Afghanistan in 1977, included 11 women members.

Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, U.S. officials opposed the Taliban's subjugation of women through meeting with them to urge moderation, and working with other countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to curb Taliban excesses. Most recently, the Administration, led by President and Mrs. Bush and Secretary of State Powell, has spoken forcefully for the need to restore women's proper role in Afghanistan society.

Life under the Taliban

The Afghan war against the Soviet Union and the ensuing civil war resulted in the devastation of the country, millions of deaths, and the flight of additional millions of refugees, chiefly to Pakistan and Iran. In the chaos that ensued, the status of women deteriorated sharply. The Taliban came to power in 1996, in part by pledging to restore order to the country. However, the Taliban regime soon began to enforce a series of ultra-conservative laws, many of which repressed the human rights of women, such as:

-- Most women were banned from working outside the home.

-- Girls over eight were denied education.

-- Access to medical treatment was severely restricted.

-- There was a brutally enforced restrictive dress code.

-- Women were forbidden from leaving their homes unless accompanied by a male relative.

After the Taliban

Following the November 2001 defeat of the Taliban by a U.S.-led international coalition, the situation of Afghan women has begun to improve. Women are now able to travel more freely in the cities, and they are beginning to return to work for the government (as teachers in schools and as staff in the ministries) and for international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). For the first time in years, women have greater access to health facilities. Perhaps most important of all, boys and girls have returned to school.

The Bonn Agreement

In December 2001, representatives of many Afghan factions met in Bonn and signed an agreement that underscored the centrality of democratic principles and human rights in its provisional arrangements. This includes protecting the rights of women. The Bonn Agreement also provides for the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) to govern until the establishment of the Transitional Administration by the Emergency Loya Jirga in June 2002. With the strong encouragement of the United States, two women were appointed to the AIA: Sima Simar, Vice Chair and Minister of Women's Affairs, and Suhalla Siddiqi, Minister of Public Health. The Bonn Agreement also provided for the establishment of a 21-member commission to organize an Emergency Loya Jirga. Three women have been appointed to that body and a significant number of women will attend this important national council meeting.

Political Participation

Through grants to NGOs, the U.S. has aided efforts to help Afghan women improve the environment for women's human rights, address systematic violations and increase their participation in the political process. The U.S. developed similar programs in Peshawar, Pakistan, where hundreds of Afghan refugee women received training and formed women's groups to address security and law enforcement problems. U.S. assistance also enabled the participation of more than 500 Afghan refugee women in a Women's Loya Jirga on the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and assisted delegations of Afghan women to participate in international meetings in Bonn and Brussels.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Agency for International Development provided assistance to several NGOs to open liaison offices in Kabul. One office is providing vocational training for Afghan women while another office is focused on training refugee women job skills. These liaison offices also facilitate alliances between Afghan and Pakistani women's rights groups to help Afghan women refugees and assist Pakistani groups in addressing religious extremism in the region.

Security

Insecurity in Afghanistan impedes the reconstruction process. The situation in Afghanistan is still unstable, due in part to the fluid political and military situation. Security issues facing Afghanistan, particularly in remote areas, include:

-- military operations;

-- landmines;

-- and banditry.

To address these challenges, the U.S. government is assisting the Afghans by:

-- helping the Afghans themselves to establish security in their country;

-- hunting down remaining Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters;

-- assisting the International Security Assistance Force (when ISAF's mandate comes up for renewal in June the U.S. will support extending its tenure until the end of this year);

-- assisting in training an Afghan army;

-- contributing to the training and equipping of the Afghan police;

-- and using special forces and civil affairs teams to help local commanders deal with contentious issues and discourage conflict among ranks.

Meanwhile, women continue to be cautious in traveling outside the cities and many continue to wear the burqa (the traditional garb in many parts of Afghanistan) when outdoors in both the cities and countryside.

Landmines

Afghanistan is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. The State Department estimates that as many as 4 million landmines still lie in wait. Landmine casualties total approximately 200 per month. Landmines

-- prevent children from attending school;

-- prevent water wells from being approached;

-- obstruct commerce from safely traversing roads and bridges;

-- prevent land from being tilled;

-- and instill lasting psychological trauma to those who are at risk.

The U.S. has been providing humanitarian demining and mine risk education to Afghanistan since 1989; this assistance continued throughout the years of the Taliban governance. Since 1993, this assistance totals more than $28 million. This year, the U.S. has committed another $7 million to support mine clearance and mine risk education efforts.

The U.S. government also committed $700,000 to conduct two surveys on new contamination by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and on the status of national disabilities and injuries. These surveys will aid relief workers in preventing further injuries for displaced and refugee populations, guide landmine removal and target victim's assistance programs.

Counternarcotics

The State Department has budgeted $6 million for FY-2002 and $6 million for 2003 for counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan. In addition, the Department has requested additional supplemental funding for counternarcotics, police training and administration of justice, program development and support in order to:

-- generate alternate employment in poppy growing areas;

-- support eradication of opium poppy;

-- promote alternative agricultural programs;

-- assist in establishing a drug control coordination office;

-- contribute to German-led efforts to provide basic training, equipment and facilities for a national police force;

-- and provide training for judicial and legal personnel.

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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