UN Report Indicates Shifts in Family Attitudes and Rise in Domestic Violence in Afghanistan
A recent UN report highlights alarming shifts in family attitudes towards girls’ education and a rise in domestic violence in Afghanistan, exacerbated by Taliban policies that restrict women’s rights and public presence.
The joint report by UN Women, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reveals significant changes in societal attitudes toward girls’ education in Afghanistan, driven by fear of Taliban governance and entrenched patriarchal norms, an article by Hasht-e-Subh Daily revealed yesterday.
The study, which surveyed 776 women across all 34 provinces, found that 79% reported restricted access to public spaces such as parks and health centers. Additionally, 69% of women felt unsafe outside their homes, and 57% experienced severe financial hardship.
The report indicates that Taliban policies have systematically marginalized women from public life, leading many families to view girls’ education as unnecessary or even shameful. Nearly half of the women surveyed (47%) noted a decline in community support for girls’ primary education, with 65% observing reduced support for secondary education. Despite some families attempting to educate their daughters secretly, others have shifted focus to vocational or religious studies due to the current climate.
Financially, 57% of women reported significant declines in income opportunities, and 73% of women indicated a decrease in available jobs. The report highlights that gender discrimination in hiring practices is prevalent, with many women frustrated by being overlooked for jobs in favor of men.
Access to legal services has also deteriorated, with 79% of women stating they had not utilized any formal dispute resolution mechanisms in the past year. Barriers to accessing these services often stem from the requirement of a male escort to visit Taliban courts or government offices.
The report underscores the impact of Taliban’s “Law for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,” which has led to arbitrary restrictions on women’s visibility and voices. While some respondents expressed that these restrictions benefit family life by reinforcing traditional roles, many others called for the Taliban to lift restrictions on girls’ education and ensure safe access to quality schooling.
