The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Afghan women are nearly four times less likely than men to access formal justice mechanisms, according to new findings released Saturday by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan on International Women’s Day.
The report, published by UNAMA in cooperation with UN Women
and the International Organization for Migration, highlights a widening justice
gap that leaves many Afghan women without safe ways to assert their rights,
seek protection or challenge abuse.
According to the findings, only 14 percent of women
consulted said they had access to formal dispute resolution services, compared
with 53 percent of men.
Georgette Gagnon said barriers to justice weaken trust in
institutions and leave communities and individuals more vulnerable.
“ When large segments of society face barriers to resolving
disputes or seeking protection, it weakens trust in institutions and increases
vulnerability,” she said.
Meanwhile, Susan Ferguson said access to justice is a
fundamental right and essential for women’s safety and dignity.
She warned that excluding women from justice institutions
undermines their security and limits their opportunities to seek help,
particularly for those experiencing domestic violence.
The findings are based on nationwide consultations conducted
in December 2025 with more than 800 Afghan women and 160 men.
Participants cited the suspension of several institutions —
including the former Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Afghanistan
Independent Human Rights Commission — as major factors limiting women’s access
to justice.
The report also noted that women have less access to
informal dispute resolution mechanisms such as community jirgas and shuras,
further restricting their ability to resolve conflicts or seek protection.
The United Nations called for strengthening institutional
mechanisms, restoring women-centered justice services and expanding legal and
psychosocial support for women across Afghanistan.
