Gender in Afghanistan is a topic of much debate, especially in its context of conflict and political instability. Afghanistan is currently one of the most unequal countries in the world in terms of rights and opportunities guaranteed to women compared to those guaranteed to men, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Gender Inequality Index .
In 2008, a Global Rights report on domestic violence in Afghanistan revealed that more than 87.2% of women interviewed had experienced at least one form of physical, sexual or psychological violence or forced marriage and 62% of them had experienced multiple forms of violence. Little research, however, has looked at how norms related to masculinity affect and perpetuate violence, how conflict affects men's identities, and what this implies in terms of sustainable peacebuilding and gender equity.
From May 31st to June 2nd, Promundo held the second of three trainings in Afghanistan for the Men & Women, Peace & Security project, in partnership with Sound, Humanitarian, Participatory, and Organizational Uplift (SHPOUL) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Over the three days, 30 men participated in training activities in Kabul, which addressed topics such as power, masculinity, violence and gender. One of the training participants stated:
“One of the main factors that keeps society underdeveloped is gender inequality, so my expectation is that training can help us reduce the gap between men and women and change negative behaviors related to masculinity.”
The trainings are part of a project to adapt Program H , a methodology that has been used in more than 20 countries to engage young men around topics such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, violence prevention and fatherhood and care. Internationally, evaluations of Program H have demonstrated that sequences of multiple group education sessions with young men, in which rigid and violent gender norms are challenged, can lead to lasting changes in attitudes and behaviors. The specific adaptation of Program H in Afghanistan will build on these lessons learned and best practices, as well as the Living Peace program, which assists participants in recovering from their traumatic experiences, reestablishing social and couple relationships, and strengthening recovery strategies not violent and positive.
In partnership with local organizations, Promundo will continue using the finalized methodology to train young people in various regions of Afghanistan as male peace ambassadors. After receiving training, these young men will act as models of positive masculinities in their communities, involving other men and boys in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
In addition to the Men & Women, Peace & Security project, Promundo will also carry out a more comprehensive research initiative in Afghanistan – the International Men and Gender Equality Survey – IMAGES – bringing together new nuances of understanding around masculinities and gender in this context. This data from the IMAGES survey will serve as a basis for regional and national discussions on gender, conflict and masculinities. The research data can also serve as a basis for creating policies and programs to promote gender equity, encourage respect for sexual minorities and prevent gender-based violence, involving men and boys as allies.
The work of Promundo and its partners in Afghanistan builds on already completed research and is aligned with the National Strategy and Action Plan for Gender Equity, recently launched by the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs, with support from UN Women.
The adaptation and implementation of the IMAGES survey and Program H in Afghanistan aims to produce critical information and action around masculinities, non-violence, gender relations, and peacebuilding in the context of ongoing conflict.
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