WOMANKIND has written to key UK parliamentarians, including Tony Blair and Hilary Benn, to express our concerns over the possible reestablishment in Afghanistan of the Department for the Promulgation of Virtue & Prohibition of Vice (DVV).
Under the Taliban, the ministry of the same name was notorious for its arbitrary abuses of power, and in particular its mistreatment of women and girls. Ministry representatives delivered public beatings to women for such offences as showing wrists, hands or ankles, and venturing out unaccompanied by a close male relative. Women were prevented from educating girls at home, from working, and from begging.
Since the overthrow of the Taliban (including its Ministry for Vice & Virtue) in 2001, Afghan government and society are being reconstructed. Along with the implementation of a new constitution and democratic elections in 2005, there have been significant steps forward for women’s rights. Equal rights for women and men have been enshrined in the constitution, women have been elected to Parliament, and the government has ratified CEDAW (the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women).
Nonetheless, there is still a long way to go. There is always a significant gap between legislation and implementation, which also varies hugely between urban and rural areas. Women’s position remains fragile, and they continue to struggle against marginalisation and abuse. For this reason, any development – such as the reestablishment of the DVV – which might undermine the gains to date must be scrutinised carefully.
Furthermore, as has been depicted on the UK news, the security situation in Afghanistan is worsening and the Taliban are becoming increasingly active in parts of the country. The reestablishment of the DVV may give more leverage to conservative groups and may pave the way for a return to the Taliban’s style of governance.
Afghan women’s organizations, including WOMANKIND partners, have produced a statement expressing their deep concerns over the DVV. In support of this, WOMANKIND call upon the UK government, demanding that they act. The UK government is a major donor to the Afghan government and has contributed significantly to stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in the country. They are therefore well placed to monitor the commitment of the Afghan government to the protection of women’s rights and to question the need for and scope of the DVV.
To read our letter, which is countersigned by nine other organisations, and which will be distributed to around 30 UK parliamentarians, click here.
