Afghanistan Gender Profile

Afghan women suffer from one of the highest levels of maternal mortality in the world with 45 women dying each day during childbirth. In December 2003, only 12 percent of women were reported to have access to basic health care. Forced marriage, especially of girls, is still widespread in Afghanistan. There have been some improvements since the fall of the Taliban regime, especially around education. However, insecurity and the increasing incidence of sexual violence threaten to reverse gains made by women and girls, who are often afraid to leave their homes for school or work out of fear that they might be kidnapped or raped. This website provides comprehensive information on women's situation in Afghanistan in various areas, such as politics and security, human rights and economic security. The information is sourced from UN agencies, the media, and from non-governmental organisations like Amnesty International and local based civil society organisations. The peace building activities of women's organisations in Afghanistan are included, as well as details of local based organisations working on women's rights. An extensive series of reports by other UN and international agencies on women's and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan are also featured.