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In the quiet corners of Kabul, amidst the chaos that half of the nation caught in cycles of suppression and violation of human rights, the voices of Afghan women have long been a whisper, sometimes a plea, sometimes a roar. Their stories are stitched into the fabric of Afghanistan’s history, yet their rights remain fragile, often overshadowed by the turbulence that has defined the country for decades.
One of the most significant international frameworks that aimed to elevate women’s roles in peace and security is United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS). Adopted in 2000, UNSCR 1325 recognizes the importance of women’s equal participation in peace processes, protection from violence, and the integration of gender perspectives into peacebuilding. For Afghanistan, this resolution was both a beacon of hope and a complex challenge, its principles echoing the aspirations of countless Afghan women but often falling short in implementation amid ongoing conflict for decades.
During the early years of the Afghan republic, particularly under the government of President Hamid Karzai, there was a visible, albeit limited, push toward gender inclusion: international aid and Afghan civil society organizations worked to advance women’s rights, education, and political participation. The 2004 Afghan constitution enshrined gender rights, affirming equality before the law and granting women the right to vote and stand for office.
However, even then, the implementation of UNSCR 1325 remained aspirational. The security situation was highly precarious, primarily due to the severe deterioration of safety conditions caused by the Taliban’s reprehensible behaviour towards the local population. Their oppressive actions and widespread violence created an environment of fear and instability, which significantly hampered efforts to implement the 1325 Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. The persistent security challenges not only posed risks to personnel and initiatives but also impeded progress in fostering peace, stability, and gender inclusion and social norms often undermined formal policies. Women’s participation in peace negotiations was minimal, and violence against women persisted in rural areas, disguised as customary or tribal affairs. Nonetheless, the framework provided a crucial international mandate, urging Afghan leadership and the global community to prioritize women’s roles in rebuilding the nation. It is essential that women have increased participation in policymaking roles and are empowered to take on leadership positions.
Fast forward to today, the landscape has shifted dramatically. With the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the outlook for Afghan women has darkened considerably. Official policies now restrict women’s mobility, education, and employment, reversing many gains made over the past two decades. The promises of inclusion and protection articulated in the foundational document of the WPS Agenda as well as the additional UNSCR resolutions on the topic seem distant, perhaps even irrelevant, under the weight of authoritarian rule and societal repression.
Yet, Afghan women are resilient. Despite the risks, they continue to resist in small acts of defiance, secretly learning, organizing, and raising their voices in hushed whispers. Their plight underscores the urgent need for the international community to uphold the principles of UNSCR 1325, not just on paper but in meaningful action.
The question remains: how can the global community leverage the WPS Agenda to hold itself accountable and support Afghan women in this dark hour?
From within Afghanistan, the voice of every Afghan woman echoes with both despair and hope. She might be a teacher, a nurse, a mother, or a student, her aspirations undiminished by the oppressive policies she faces daily. Her message is clear: “We have fought for our rights, for our dignity, and for our future. We need the world to see us, hear us, and stand with us, not just in words but in action.”
This voice is a reminder that Afghan women are not passive recipients of aid; they are active agents of change, whose resilience and agency must be recognized and supported. The international community must listen to these voices, amplify them, and ensure that their rights are not sacrificed on the altar of geopolitical interests.
The international community’s role in Afghanistan has always been a double-edged sword. On one side, it provided vital support to Afghan women’s rights initiatives; on the other, it often fell short of holding itself accountable for the promises made.
To truly leverage the WPS Agenda, the global actors must adopt a more principled and sustained approach. First, there must be clear mechanisms to monitor violations of women’s rights and ensure that commitments made under WPS 1325 are fulfilled. This includes reporting on progress and holding governments and international bodies accountable. Moreover, international donors and organizations should prioritize funding for Afghan women-led groups and grassroots initiatives as these groups are the true custodians of change and resilience. Women’s participation must be a non-negotiable element of any peace negotiations or political processes: their perspectives are essential to sustainable peace. Furthermore, the international community should offer safe avenues for Afghan women at risk, including asylum and legal protections, recognizing that their safety is paramount. And finally, long-term change depends on empowering women through education, vocational training, and economic opportunities, even in the face of repression.
Afghanistan’s future hinges on whether the international community recognizes and respects Afghan women as key stakeholders in peace and development. Their agency must be at the center of any strategy aimed at building a just and lasting peace.
For Afghan women, UNSCR 1325 is more than a resolution: it is a testament to their right to live free from violence, to participate fully in their society, and to shape their own destiny. It is a moral imperative for the global community to uphold these principles, not just in words but through concrete, tangible actions.
This is not merely about fulfilling a UN mandate; it is about justice, dignity, and human rights. It is about listening to Afghan voices, voices that have endured decades of conflict and repression, and ensuring that their aspirations are not erased but amplified.
Afghan women have fought long and hard for their rights, rights enshrined in laws, yet often denied in practice. Their resilience, courage, and unwavering hope must inspire us to do more.
The path forward requires accountability, genuine partnership, and unwavering support for Afghan women as active participants in their country’s future. It is time to turn words into actions, honouring the spirit of the WPS Agenda and the voices of Afghan women who deserve nothing less than the full realization of their rights.
Author Bio: Farima Nawabi is a former diplomat, human rights advocate, and researcher with expertise in international relations, diplomacy, peace, security, and strategic studies. A Fulbright scholar and alumna of the OSCE Women Peace Leadership Program, she has studied at the University of Mississippi, King’s College London, and the Royal College of Defence Studies. She is also an alumna of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. A member of the Afghan Women Leaders Forum, Ms. Nawabi remains deeply engaged in advancing women’s rights, peace, and human security.
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