Afghanistan- Robust efforts require ending sexual, gender-based violence

(MENAFN- Afghanistan Times) AT News Report

KABUL: Marking the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women and Girls, and the start of 16 Days of Activism against
gender-based violence, the UN in Afghanistan has called on the Government and
the Afghan people to further efforts to end sexual and gender-based violence,
including impunity for these crimes.

This year's theme –'Orange the World: Generation Equality
Stands Against Rape'– focuses on supporting and amplifying voices of survivors
and advocates for an end to sexual violence and rape, the agency said in a
statement on Monday.

In times of peace or conflict, sexual and gender-based
violence, including harassment, assault and rape, occur. Such violence affects
the full scope of a woman's human rights and leads to multiple and intersecting
forms of discrimination, stigma and trauma.

'We hear the strong voice of Afghan women survivors.
Notwithstanding the risks and challenges to their safety, including within
their own communities, they stand up to advocate for an end to sexual and gender-based
violence. We must stand alongside them,' said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN
Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, who is also head of
the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) 'Ongoing impunity and the
pervasive normalization of sexual and gender-based violence must end.'

The UN acknowledges efforts by the Government, particularly
the Attorney-General's Office, to hold the perpetrators of sexual assault and
rape to account. Doing so sends the signal that such behavior is criminal and
unacceptable. Such work also builds survivors' and public confidence in the
justice system, critical for Afghanistan to achieve sustainable development and
peace.

Afghanistan has made a strong commitment to women's human
rights, including under Sustainable Development Goal No.5 on Gender Equality
and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women.

'Afghan women and girls, however, continue to experience
widespread violations of their human rights and persistent violence, including
through the impact of the conflict and gender inequality. While progress has
been made, including increases in the number of women prosecutors and judges,
much work remains,' said Aleta Miller, Country Representative of UN-Women in
Afghanistan. We acknowledge the ongoing review of the Law on the Elimination of
Violence Against Women, and hope that it will lead to a further strengthening
of the legal framework. We call on the Government to redouble its efforts to
fully implement the Law and end impunity for violent crimes against women and
girls.'

Over the last 12 months, the Ministry of Women's Affairs,
Attorney General's Office, Afghanistan National Police, Supreme Court and the
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission documented cases of alleged
violence against women and girls, including murders, honour killings, sexual
assaults, rapes, beatings and underage marriages.

This year, the UN, through UN Women, is pioneering the
primary prevention of violence against women and girls through evidence-based
interventions, to transform harmful social norms, as well as deepening
comprehensive and coordinated efforts to improve referral pathways and the
provision of essential services for survivors of violence.

The UN stands in solidarity with women civil society
organizations and all other partners advocating for the full scope of women's
rights.

During the 16 Days Campaign, the Afghan government,
supported by the UN, intensifies its advocacy and awareness-raising activities
to addresses violence against women and girls. The campaign runs until 10
December, International Human Rights Day.

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