Country Profile: Afghanistan

From: CIA Factbook

Afghanistan at a Glance Approx. 20% women in Loya Jirga, women hold two cabinet seats Maternal mortality rate: 1,700 deaths per 100,000 live births: 50 women die per day of pregnancy or childbirth related complications 40% of women are still wearing the burqa out of fear in Kabul Number of midwives in the country: 467 99% of women give birth at home Ratified CEDAW

Afghanistan In-Depth

When the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan, this extremist militia violently took away the most basic human rights of women and girls to education, work, healthcare, and freedom of movement. Afghan women lived under a brutal system of gender apartheid until November 2001. With the establishment of an interim government, women slowly have regained some rights. However, without the full-scale expansion of international peacekeeping forces and significant new funding for reconstruction and institutions that protect and promote women's rights and human rights, freedom for Afghan women will remain unfinished work. Read More>>

The Taliban & Afghan Women: Background

On September 27, 1996, the Taliban, an extremist militia, seized control of the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, and violently plunged the occupied territories of Afghanistan into a brutal state of gender apartheid in which women and girls were stripped of their basic human rights. Read More>>

Afghanistan Resources

Take Action for Afghan Women & Girls

Join the Feminist Majority's Campaign for Afghan Women and Girls as we work together for more peacekeeping forces and funding for the reconstruction of a democratic, peaceful Afghanistan. Go>>

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