Afghan Women’s Access to Justice Under Threat Amidst Deep Distrust in Judicial System

Due to profound distrust, 95% of Afghan women refrain from pursuing legal cases within the current judicial system…

Harsh Realities for Afghan Women Seeking Justice

Findings from a joint study by the Women and Children Research Network and the University of Toronto reveal that 95% of Afghan women choose not to seek legal recourse in the current judicial system due to a deep-rooted distrust. The research indicates that the complete removal of female judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers has created an unsafe environment for women within the courts, with 65% of previous clients reporting entirely negative experiences regarding interactions and judicial outcomes.

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur, described the situation as critical, urging for significant international pressure on Kabul. He emphasized that the exclusion of women from judicial structures not only constitutes a blatant violation of human rights but also leads to the legal isolation of women and an increase in hidden domestic violence in Afghanistan. The global community believes that without the revival of fair trials and the inclusion of female professionals, social justice in the country will be entirely paralyzed.