National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan - The Secretary ...

women active in
communities and in
political life.
• There is a progressive increase in the percentage of
women in Afghan institutions and in decision, policy,
and law making positions
To attain this goal, the following objectives will be pursued:
a) Development and institutionalization of a strategic framework and policies that
foster women‘s leadership and participation in public life, especially in the areas of
policy and decision making; and
b) Establishment of mechanisms and implementation of capacity building programs for
improving women‘s effectiveness as participants and leaders in all spheres of
national life.
3. ISSUES AND CONSTRAINTS
There have been impressive gains in women‘s status as leaders and political decision makers over
the past five years. These gains will serve as a foundation for sustaining the government‘s efforts
to engage women, both as leaders and participants, in all walks of life. However, the following
issues and constraints continue to act as barriers to women‘s participation and their leadership:
3.1 Prevailing male dominance and attitudinal barriers to women’s participation
Prevailing male dominance in many Afghan institutions contributes to negative perceptions of
women‘s abilities as workers and leaders. Such institutional and at times societal beliefs and
attitudes decrease women‘s chances to engage in political and public affairs.
3.2 Under representation and marginalization
In spite of progress in women‘s participation in various sectors, women remain underrepresented
in most government and justice institutions, especially in the provinces. Lack of a critical mass of
women in key institutions hampers women‘s chances to enter and develop their careers within an
institution, resulting in their marginalization and limited attention to women‘s concerns in such
institutions.
3.3 Lack of female self-determination
Although women have started to participate and exercise leadership in public life, they continue
to be subject to the decisions and control of men in their family. For example, a report on the
2004 elections revealed that 87 percent of those surveyed believed that women would need the
permission of their husband or the (male) head of family before they could vote. Approximately
18 percent of men surveyed said that they would not allow their wives to vote at all. 39 Obstacles
to women‘s self-determination, both in private and public realms, must be addressed, if they are
to serve as effective leaders and participants in policy and decision making in public life.
39 Voter Education Planning Survey: Afghanistan 2004 National Elections; 2004, The Asia Foundation
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