Without IDs, Afghan Women Remain Invisible in the Justice System
March 9, 2017
Afghan women are often unable to obtain basic legal documents such as national IDs and marriage certificates, which makes it difficult to seek help from the courts when they are in trouble, says Marion Guillaume of the Samuel Hall think-tank.
Nargez* was 14 years old when her father arranged her marriage to a 55-year-old stranger who had offered a large amount of money. After years of sexual and physical abuse, she fled with her brother’s help and sought safety in his home. But when she tried to file for divorce, her husband pressed charges against her for running away and against her brother for helping her. They were both sentenced to seven years in jail.
When it comes to justice in Afghanistan, our research at Samuel Hall shows that women are at a disadvantage in accessing and navigating the legal system, and are thereby particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. In the wake of International Women’s Day, it is worth revisiting the gaps in protection for Afghan women.
The Afghan justice system, which juggles traditional customs, Islamic law and Western-supported legal reforms, is under immense strain. It is challenged by insurgents, the remoteness of much of the country’s population, and a lack of proper understanding and application of the laws.
