Handbook For Women's Rights Advocates

148 Pages·2011·7.68 MB·English

Handbook For Women’s
Rights Advocates

Handbook for Women’s Rights Advocates
November 2011
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and/or USAID.
Handbook for Women’s Rights Advocates
© 2011 by IFES. All rights reserved.
International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
1850 K Street, NW
Fifth Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006
U.S.A.
Notice of rights
All rights reserved. No part of this report can be reproduced or transmitted in any
form by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.
Printed in Afghanistan
Acknowledgements
The following individuals made contributions to the development and production of this manual:
Kawa Aahangar Vasu Mohan
Sapna Ahmadzai Peter Noppenau
Zabih Barakzai Danka Rapic
Bella Desai Mindy Roduner
Inge Detlefsen Terry Rogers
Belma Ejupovic Mary Lou Schramm
Nasrine Gross Roshan Sirran
Adam LeClair Sahil Warsi
Jayne Miller
Table of Contents
List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
GMliotsigsaartyin ogf tTheerm Gse n...d...e...r.. .D...o...u...b...l..e.. .S...t.a...n...d...a...r..d... . .............. .............. ............... ............... .............. ............... .............. .............. 132
3.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.2 Islamic Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 21
3.3 Afghan Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 26
3.4 International Legal Framework ................................................................................................................................. 31
3R.e5d Rueccionmg mHaenrmdaftuiol nMsa ..r..r..i..a..g...e.. .R....e..l..a..t..e...d... .T...r..a..d...i..t..i.o...n...s.. . ........... ............... ............... .............. ............... .............. ............ 3338
4.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................ 38
4.2 Islamic Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 50
4.3 Afghan Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................................... 54
4.4 International Legal Framework .................................................................................................................................. 56
4E.l5im Riencaotminmge Vnidoalteinonces .A...g..a...i.n...s...t. .W.....o...m....e...n... ..... ............... .............. ............... ............... .............. ............... .............. ............ 6572
5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................................................. 62
5.2 Islamic Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 65
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5.3 Afghan Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 67

5.4 International Legal Framework ...............................................................................................................................o... 70
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5In.5c rReeacsoimngm Aecncdeastsio tnos E ..d...u...c..a...t.i..o...n... . ... ............... ............... .............. ................................................................................... .. 8702
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6.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................................................t 80
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6.2 Islamic Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................................ 83
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6.3 Afghan Legal Framework ...........................................................................................................................................t. 86
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6.4 International Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................... 88
6C.o5n Rcelucosimomn e n dation s ............ .............. ............... ............... .............. ............... ............... .............. ............... .............. .......... 9829
Annex 1 Relevant CSOs, NGOs and Governmental Organizations ..................................................................... 93
Annex 2A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights and Non Discrimination .................... 108
Annex 2B International Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights and Non Discrimination ........ 110
Annex 3A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights in Marriage ............................................. 115
Annex 3B International Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights in Marriage ................................ 118
Annex 4A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Eliminating Violence Against Women .................... 124
Annex 4B International Legal Framework in Support of Eliminating Violence Against Women ....... 128
Annex 5A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Equal Education Opportunities ................................. 129
Annex 5B International Legal Framework in Support of Equal Education Opportunities ..................... 133
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................................. 126
List of Acronyms
AIHRC – Afghanistan Independent Human Rights IFES – International Foundation for Electoral
Commission Systems
ANDS – Afghanistan National Development MDGs – Millennium Development Goals
Strategy MOHRA – Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs
CEDAW – Convention on Elimination of All Forms MOWA – Ministry of Women’s Affairs
of Discrimination against Women NAPWA – National Action Plan for Women of
CEPPS – Consortium for Elections and Political Afghanistan
Process Strengthening NGO – Non-governmental Organization
CRC – Convention on the Rights of the Child NSP – National Solidarity Program
CSO – Civil Society Organization UDHR – Universal Declaration of Human Rights
EVAW – Elimination of Violence Against Women UMAMA – United Nations Assistance Mission in
FRUs – Family Response Units Afghanistan
GTZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische UNDP – United Nations Development Program
Zusammenarbeit (now GIZ) USAID – United Sates Agency for International
I-ANDS – Interim Afghanistan National Development
Development Strategy VAW – Violence against Women
ICCPR – International Covenant on Civil and WATP – Women’s Advocacy Training Program
Political Rights WHO – World Health Organization
ICESCR – International Covenant on Economic, WOI – Women of Influence
Social and Cultural Rights
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Advocacy
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Glossary of Terms
is public support for an idea, cause or policy. It involves people participating in decision-myaking

processes which affect their lives. Advocacy strategies can include lobbying, social marketing, informoation,
f
eCdivuicl aStoiocnie atnyd O crogmanmizuantiicoantison, community organizing or other tactics.
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(CSOs) refer to a wide array of non-governmental and not-for-profit r
m
organizations that have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members
or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations. CSOss
therefore refer to a wide of array of organizations: community groups, non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), labor unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional
aCsussotcoimatiaornys ,L aanwd foundations. (http://go.worldbank.org/4CE7W046K0)
refers to the laws, practices and customs of indigenous and local communities, which are
an intrinsic and central part of their way of life. Customary laws are embedded in the culture and values
of a community or society; they govern acceptable standards of behavior and are actively enforced by
members of the community.
(Dhitstcpr:/im/winwawti.owni pAog.ianitn/swt iWpoo_mmeagnazine/en/2010/04/article_0007.html)
encompasses any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis
of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by
women of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any
other field. (http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm)
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EGmlopsoswareyr mofe nTterms
is about women and men taking control over their lives: setting their own agendas,
gaining skills, building self-confidence, solving problems and developing self-reliance. No one can
empower another: only the individual can empower herself or himself to make choices or to speak
out. However, institutions including international cooperation agencies can support processes that can
nurture self-empowerment of individuals or groups.
(Ghetntpd:e/r/portal.unesco.org/en/files/11483/10649049699Definitions.doc/Definitions.doc)
refers to the roles and responsibilities of men and women that are created in families,
societies and cultures. The concept of gender also includes the expectations held about the
characteristics, aptitudes and likely behaviors of both women and men (femininity and masculinity).
Gender roles and expectations are learned. They can change over time and they vary within and
between cultures. Systems of social differentiation such as political status, class, ethnicity, physical and
mental disability, age and more, modify gender roles. The concept of gender is vital because, it reveals
how women’s subordination (or men’s domination) is socially constructed. As such, the subordination
can be changed or ended. It is not biologically predetermined nor is it fixed forever.
(Ghetntpd:e/r/ pDoorutabl.luen Setsacnod.oarrgd/ en/files/11483/10649049699Definitions.doc/Definitions.doc)
is the unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender.
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