UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 27) Based on provisions of article (52) of the Constitution and article (2) of Public Health Law of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Government duty bound to provide free health services for all Afghan citizens without any discrimination. Therefore, the Government of Afghanistan has performed in two areas in order to improve and increase public access to food and fair health services:
(a) Policies and Strategies: in respect to health services, various policies and strategies have been developed based on which significant measures were taken and a number of goals and activities are to be accomplished in the future. The most important examples are: development of public health vision titled as "Heath for All Afghans" for 2012-2020; preparation of five-year implementation health program or (System Enhancement for Health Action in Transition) for 2013-2018; drafting Health and Human Rights Strategy and Gender Strategy; Policy on Funding Health in Afghanistan for 2012-2020; development of five-year strategic plan of Ministry of Public Health; guidelines on protection of patients while performing dialyze according to international standards.
(b) Practical Measures: health services were provided in two packages, basic health service and hospital health services, such as: establishment of consultation centers; establishment of national influenza center and its official recognition by World Health Organization; development of online information and consultation system for the youth; establishment of family support centers for treatment of victims of gender-based violence; research on maternal mortality; identification of impediments related to gender; nutrition survey to identify malnutrition of children below 5 years; establishment of midwifery schools to have access to health services in remote areas; establishment of nursing schools for 2 years; establishment of treatment centers of serious cases of malnutrition across the country and local treatment centers of addicts; establishment of mobile clinics to provide health services for nomads.
Para 44) The GIRoA has adopted various measures to continue the realization of women's rights and gender equality during the past four years; below are some examples:
- 65% female staff in the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSMD) up until 2013;
- An increase in the recruitment rate of women from 2316 in 2010 to 2841 in 2013 in the Ministry of Public Health;
- An increase in the recruitment rate of women from 78 in 2009 to 179 in 2013 in Judiciary;
- Participation of 25% of women in the Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs;
- Convening of periodical workshops related to gender equality and women's rights for 275 individuals in Ministry of Education.
Para 52) Relevant ministries and government organizations carried out important tasks for the realization of the NAPWA and poverty reduction. The undertaken tasks are as follows: • Preparation of policy assisting women in private sector; • Preparation of policy aimed to solve the problems of Kochi (nomad) women; • Preparation of strategy on rights and economic security of women; … • Administration/management of 548 private sector companies by women; • Sending 38611 female personnel abroad for higher education and capacity building; • Establishment of loan cooperatives for women; • Establishment of 78 small and medium cooperatives for women.
Para 63) In order to improve the situation of women, the GIRoA has approved two laws, namely the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women and the Shiite Personal Status Law during the past four years. The GIRoA acknowledges that although these laws have not fully improved the situation of women in the country, it believes that these laws have had relatively positive impacts. It has also drafted the Law on Social Support for the improvement of the situation of women and is awaiting approval of the parliament.
Para 113) The (NAPWA) has been prepared to create coordinated and systematic activities to improve the situation of women in six areas that include security and safety, protection of human rights of women, women leadership and political participation, economic and poverty, health and education. Majority of projects and programs have been implemented or are in the process of implementation through understanding and signing of protocols and agreements with government and non-government organizations. MoWA in this respect only has the role of monitoring and providing technical assistance in the implementation of projects. These projects have contributed considerably to the improvement of situation of women. The participation of women in all areas, including peace process, political and social participation in accordance with the Afghan Constitution has been ensured and women organizations are engaged under the auspices of government in different areas of political and social life.
Para 125) Since article 43 of the Afghan Constitution has guaranteed education up to the BA level for all its citizens without any discrimination, the GIRoA has taken measures that are mentioned as below:
(a) The adoption of Education Law;
(b) Providing the new educational curriculum.

National Report:
Para 5) Law "On Protection from Discrimination" (approved in February 2010) regulate implementation and respect for the principle of equality related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, family or marital status, ... or any other reason by sanctioning the prohibition of discrimination on the above grounds.

National Report:
Para 34) Amendments of the Labor Code in December 2015 introduced new provisions, with direct impact in women, including: an improved definition of sexual harassment in the work place; the reverse of the burden of proof for sexual harassment; additional guarantees for women’s return to work after their maternity leave; non-discriminatory remuneration for all, and not only for men and women, etc.
Para 36) Several bylaws in relation to economic position of women were adopted , such as: On the right to withdraw economic aid, exclusively by women, that will increase the access to financial resources; Specific measures are adopted to support women entrepreneurs and women's development initiatives in rural areas.

UN Compilation:
Para 34) [CEDAW] was also concerned about the concentration of women in the informal labour market without adequate labour and social protection, the significant gender wage gap, particularly in the private sector, and the extremely low minimum wage that disproportionately affected women.83 The United Nations country team raised similar concerns.
Para 35) [CEDAW] welcomed the adoption of the action plan for supporting women entrepreneurs for 2014–202085 and the amendment made in 2014 to the Law on Social Assistance and Social Services, which provided for social assistance to be paid directly to women. Nevertheless, the Committee noted with concern the limited implementation of those measures, in particular at the local level and with regard to women and girls belonging to disadvantaged or marginalized groups.

National Report:
Para 50) The awareness raising activities have been organized by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection within “the 16 days of activism against gender based violence and domestic violence” (25 November-10 December yearly), in close cooperation with line ministries, civil society organisations, international organizations.