UN Report Says Women In Afghanistan Four Times Less Likely Than Men To Access Justice

According to the report, shared by UN Women on Sunday, the disparity highlights a deep justice gap that leaves many Afghan women without effective legal protection or support.

The findings show that many women remain without safe and reliable avenues to seek redress, claim their rights or hold perpetrators accountable for abuse or discrimination.

The report noted that only 14% of women surveyed said they had access to formal justice mechanisms, compared with 53% of men, underscoring the sharp inequality in legal access.

Georgette Gagnon, acting head of UNAMA, said barriers to justice weaken trust in institutions and make communities and individuals more vulnerable when large segments of society cannot resolve disputes or seek protection.

The report comes as Afghan women continue to face sweeping restrictions imposed by the Taliban authorities since their return to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of international forces led by the United States.

Women and girls have been barred from secondary and higher education, restricted from many forms of employment and excluded from much of public life, drawing widespread criticism from international organizations.

Susan Ferguson, the UN special representative for women in Afghanistan, said denying women access to judicial institutions threatens their safety and independence, particularly for those experiencing domestic violence.

The report warned that without urgent reforms and protection of women's legal rights, the justice gap in Afghanistan could deepen further, leaving millions of women without effective means to seek protection or accountability.

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