Handbook For Women’s Rights Advocates Handbook for Women’s Rights Advocates November 2011 Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and/or USAID. Handbook for Women’s Rights Advocates © 2011 by IFES. All rights reserved. International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) 1850 K Street, NW Fifth Floor Washington, D.C. 20006 U.S.A. Notice of rights All rights reserved. No part of this report can be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without the prior permission of the publisher. Printed in Afghanistan Acknowledgements The following individuals made contributions to the development and production of this manual: Kawa Aahangar Vasu Mohan Sapna Ahmadzai Peter Noppenau Zabih Barakzai Danka Rapic Bella Desai Mindy Roduner Inge Detlefsen Terry Rogers Belma Ejupovic Mary Lou Schramm Nasrine Gross Roshan Sirran Adam LeClair Sahil Warsi Jayne Miller Table of Contents List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Glossary of Terms ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Mitigating the Gender Double Standard 12 3.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Islamic Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 21 3.3 Afghan Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 26 3.4 International Legal Framework ................................................................................................................................. 31 3.5 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................................... 33 Reducing Harmful Marriage Related Traditions 38 4.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................ 38 4.2 Islamic Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 50 4.3 Afghan Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................................... 54 4.4 International Legal Framework .................................................................................................................................. 56 4.5 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................................... 57 Eliminating Violence Against Women 62 5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................................................. 62 5.2 Islamic Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 65 Table of Contents Table 5.3 Afghan Legal Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 67 5.4 International Legal Framework .................................................................................................................................. 70 5.5 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................................... 72 Increasing Access to Education 80 6.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................... 80 6.2 Islamic Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................................ 83 6.3 Afghan Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................................ 86 6.4 International Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................... 88 6.5 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................................... 89 Conclusion 92 Annex 1 Relevant CSOs, NGOs and Governmental Organizations ..................................................................... 93 Annex 2A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights and Non Discrimination .................... 108 Annex 2B International Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights and Non Discrimination ........ 110 Annex 3A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights in Marriage ............................................. 115 Annex 3B International Legal Framework in Support of Equal Rights in Marriage ................................ 118 Annex 4A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Eliminating Violence Against Women .................... 124 Annex 4B International Legal Framework in Support of Eliminating Violence Against Women ....... 128 Annex 5A Afghan Legal Framework in Support of Equal Education Opportunities ................................. 129 Annex 5B International Legal Framework in Support of Equal Education Opportunities ..................... 133 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................................. 126 List of Acronyms AIHRC – Afghanistan Independent Human Rights IFES – International Foundation for Electoral Commission Systems ANDS – Afghanistan National Development MDGs – Millennium Development Goals Strategy MOHRA – Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs CEDAW – Convention on Elimination of All Forms MOWA – Ministry of Women’s Affairs of Discrimination against Women NAPWA – National Action Plan for Women of CEPPS – Consortium for Elections and Political Afghanistan Process Strengthening NGO – Non-governmental Organization CRC – Convention on the Rights of the Child NSP – National Solidarity Program CSO – Civil Society Organization UDHR – Universal Declaration of Human Rights EVAW – Elimination of Violence Against Women UMAMA – United Nations Assistance Mission in FRUs – Family Response Units Afghanistan GTZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische UNDP – United Nations Development Program Zusammenarbeit (now GIZ) USAID – United Sates Agency for International I-ANDS – Interim Afghanistan National Development Development Strategy VAW – Violence against Women ICCPR – International Covenant on Civil and WATP – Women’s Advocacy Training Program Political Rights WHO – World Health Organization ICESCR – International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights WOI – Women of Influence 2 Glossary of Terms Glossary of Terms Advocacy is public support for an idea, cause or policy. It involves people participating in decision-making processes which affect their lives. Advocacy strategies can include lobbying, social marketing, information, education and communication, community organizing or other tactics. Civil Society Organizations organizations that have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members (CSOs) refer to a wide array of non-governmental and not-for-profit therefore refer to a wide of array of organizations: community groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),or others, labor based unions, on ethical, indigenous cultural, groups, political, charitable scientific, organizations, religious or philanthropicfaith-based organizations, considerations. professional CSOs associations, and foundations. (http://go.worldbank.org/4CE7W046K0) Customary Law refers to the laws, practices and customs of indigenous and local communities, which are an intrinsic and central part of their way of life. Customary laws are embedded in the culture and values of a community or society; they govern acceptable standards of behavior and are actively enforced by members of the community. (http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2010/04/article_0007.html) Discrimination Against Women encompasses any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any 3 other field. (http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm) Glossary of Terms Empowerment is about women and men taking control over their lives: setting their own agendas, empower another: only the individual can empower herself or himself to make choices or to speak out.gaining However, skills,