Enacted Laws and Regulations:
1. Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) Law: This law was passed in 2009 and aims to protect women from violence, including domestic violence, forced marriages, and other harmful practices. It provides legal mechanisms for reporting and addressing cases of violence.
2. Civil Procedure Code and Penal Code Reforms: Changes to these codes have been made to strengthen women's rights, including provisions to address issues like discriminatory practices in family matters, sexual harassment, and gender-based crimes.
Education and Literacy Initiatives:
3. Increased Access to Education: There has been a significant increase in the number of girls and women enrolled in schools and educational institutions at various levels, including primary, secondary, and higher education. Efforts have been made to remove barriers such as cultural and financial limitations to education.
4. Literacy Programs: The government and various organizations have implemented literacy programs specifically targeting women and girls to improve literacy rates among the female population.
Women's Empowerment Programs:
5. Women's Entrepreneurship: Initiatives have been launched to encourage and support women entrepreneurs, providing training, access to financing, and networking opportunities to help women start and grow businesses.
6. Women in Leadership Roles: Efforts have been made to increase the representation of women in leadership and decision-making positions in government, politics, and various sectors of society.
Civil Society and Advocacy:
7. Gender-focused Civil Society Organizations: Local and international organizations continue to work on women's rights and gender equality issues, providing support, legal aid, and advocacy for women and girls.
International Support:
8. Gender-based Foreign Assistance: Donor countries and international organizations provide financial and technical assistance to support women's rights and gender equality initiatives in Afghanistan.
However, despite these advancements, women's rights in Afghanistan still face significant challenges related to deeply entrenched traditional practices and cultural norms, lack of proper implementation of laws, limited access to justice, and ongoing issues of violence and discrimination. Ensuring lasting improvements and safeguarding women's rights requires sustained efforts, addressing cultural and societal attitudes, and continued commitment from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, international partners, and the Afghan people themselves.