World Vision warns of a continued spike of gender-based violence against women and girls in Afghanistan as it joins the global movement to spread awareness

Kabul, 27 November 2022 

Incidents of gender-based violence against women and girls in Afghanistan continue to spike and the number of affected is getting higher by the day. Since the summer of 2021, Afghan women have had many of their most fundamental rights restricted or rescinded in a country that has one of the highest rates of violence against women globally, according to the UN. The needs have never been greater.

As part of the global and regional movement, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, World Vision Afghanistan is launching its most ambitious awareness campaign to date entitled, “Every child has the right to learn! Educate girls.” 

 World Vision Afghanistan is standing up for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan through a series of activities focusing on advocating for girls’ education and the importance of educating girls for integration into working in society, targeting community and faith leaders, parents and caretakers, and children. Throughout the 16-day period, World Vision Afghanistan has a demanding schedule of action and activism including:  

• Conducting community conversations and awareness-raising on the importance of girls’ education, the role of community members and leaders, and the impact of not sending children, particularly girls, to school, in the four areas of the country World Vision Afghanistan operates.
• Engaging with religious scholars on the elimination of violence against children, especially girls, at home and in community and promoting positive attitudes towards girls and women using Islamic messages during khutbahs (sermons) in Friday prayer gatherings.
• Using Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials with culturally appropriate and Islamic messaging regarding tackling discriminatory behaviour against women and girls, and the prevention of violence against women.

 Asuntha Charles, World Vision Afghanistan’s National Director, says: 

 “We mustn’t let the conversation about Afghanistan fade despite the many other crises happening around the world. As we launch our “Every child has the right to learn! Educate girls.” campaign, we respectfully, but urgently, encourage everyone to take steps toward ending violence against women and respecting the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly lifting the restriction on girls’ education.” 

  The 16 Days Campaign began, globally, on November 25, the International Day Against Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

ENDS 

Notes to editors

Representatives of World Vision Afghanistan are available for interview. For further information or to organise an interview, please contact: Leah Donoghue, Director - Communications and Advocacy for World Vision Middle East and Eastern Europe at Leah_Donoghue@wvi.org