Unlike previous historical periods, Afghan women have had sufficient achievements in the last two decades. With a modern and moderate cultural approach, Afghan woman has not only progressed in the field of political and economic activities but also promoted in the field of social and cultural activities in last two decades. While having their moderate Islamic Hijab, thousands of women took part in social arenas. While nurturing hundreds of women religious scholars and trainers, thousands of women scientists, professors, and teachers were graduated in the last two decades. Now, the question is how Afghan women succeeded to reaching this step?
While attaching importance to the international supports, the owner of this pen believes that the achievements of women in last 20 years are indebted to the moderate cultural approach adopted by the new constitution of Afghanistan. The new constitution of Afghanistan while emphasizing that nothing is above Islamic principles, it also recognizes modern values such as human rights, women’s freedom, and women’s rights in the country. In other words, Afghan women have always been the victim of extremist approaches. For example, during Amanullah Khan and communists women were suddenly given some unconventional freedom while during the Taliban they were absolutely put into a cage of tradition. These historical experiences show that none of the above cultural approaches can work in the country. The first orientations were in paradox to cultural values of the country while the second orientation was in paradox to rationality and advancement of the country.
So, the most important secret behind the success of women is indebted to the moderate and modern cultural approach adopted by the current constitution of Afghanistan. Everyone is aware that during the Taliban and even before, Afghan women were deprived of very basic rights, but with the commencement of the new era which began with the presidency of Hamid Karzai and approval of the new constitution, Afghan women have opened a new chapter in their social and economic lives. During this new chapter, Afghan women entered various fields of activities and reached commendable achievements.
In order to provide a lesson to the supporters of extremist approaches let’s explain the progress of Afghan women with factual evidence; it is good to discuss the key points and achievements highlighted in the latest methodic reports revealed by SIGAR. According to SIGAR’s latest report, Afghan women have made significant progress in the field of health, education, access to justice, political and economic participation since 2001.
In the area of health, the recent SIGAR reports show that the maternal mortality rate has largely decreased. For example between 2002 and 2015, the percentage of pregnant women receiving prenatal care by skilled health personnel rose from 16 percent to 61 percent. Between 2002 and 2018, the number of trained midwives increased from an estimated 467 to 4,000, and the birth rate with skilled health personnel rose from 14% to almost 60%. Between 2002 and 2017, the attendance of female employees at health centers increased from 25 percent to 92 percent. This report and figures show that Afghan women have seen great improvements in area of health.
In the area of education, the report shows that nearly 3.5 million girls (approximately 40% of the approximately 9 million total male and female students) attend school. Although the numbers of girls who attend schools are fewer than boys, compared to the previous era such as the Taliban’s period which hiddenly went to educational centers, there are incomparable differences. By 2018, there were approximately 70,000 women in teaching, representing approximately one-third of the country’s teachers. The expansion of community-based education has helped reduce the gap in the attendance of girls and boys in school. The literacy rate among girls has risen from 20 percent in 2005 to 39 percent in 2017. In general, no Afghan is against women’s education as long as the current moderate at least one preserved in the country.
In the area of politics, there is an unprecedented boost in women’s participation as a large number of women have a high position in the government with help of the current supportive and moderate cultural approach of the constitution. For example, at least 27 percent of parliament seats, 25 provincial and district council seats are reserved for women.  Approximately half of the 9,708 elected members of the Community Development Council nationwide are women. Women serve as ministers, deputy ministers, and ambassadors, and make up about 28 percent of the staff of civil society organizations. These figures show the efforts of thousands of women, from the village to the national level while loyal to their moderate social and cultural values.
In the area of women’s access to Justice, Afghanistan has a legal framework to promote women and girls’ access to justice. This includes the constitutional protections for equal rights of men and women, the Prohibition of Violence against Women Act 2009 promulgated by a presidential decree, and other national and international laws adopted by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The number of women working in the police force was about 180 in 2005, but it increased to 3,650 in 2019. The number of female judges from 5% in 2007 increased to 13% in 2018 showing an increasing trend in access of women to justice in the country.
In the area of women’s economy, a larger number of women run their businesses compared to 20 years ago. The share of women-insecure jobs in urban areas increased from 27% to 42% between 2007 and 2017. From 2007 to 2019, the participation of women in providing civilian service increased from 18% to 25 %. In 2018, women held 15 % role in government decision-making while this was only 10% in 2013.
Despite these positive changes which are considered as an achievement of the current moderate system, significant barriers such as restrictive customs and ideological threats such as Taliban continue to hamper the progress of Afghan women and girls. Noting that no prominent changes occurred in the ideology of the Taliban, the return of Emirate system will be a serious threat to freedom of men and women in the country. Therefore, the fiscal and diplomatic supports of regional and international community are still required in rescuing women’s rights and freedom in Afghanistan.