Attachments
By: Mitra Tanomand
ISBN: 978-91-90084-03-8
Abstract
This study investigates the unexpected closure of Women’s Protection Centres (WPCs) and its impact on survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), and the withdrawal of civil society and donor agencies from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. The paper focuses on the post-2021 fragility of women by discussing the realities and roles of the WPCs involved in offering haven, legal services and counselling to GBV survivors. In addition, this research gives voice to vulnerable women. Using feminist theory, the study examines power dynamics, intersectional identities and patriarchal structures, drawing on interviews with 30 participants, including WPCs’ female survivors, former non-governmental organisations (NGOs), donors, and staff from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) and the Department of Women’s Affairs (DoWA).
The study finds that closures of WPCs stemmed from political shifts, decreased subsidies and poor administration. The narratives of confusion, delay, and ineffective management of an evacuation and re-integration process raises questions on how survivors were treated. The study also reveals significant accountability lapses, which the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan government, international funders, and NGOs (the implementing partners) did not plan or co-ordinate effectively, leading to the failure and dissolution of essential support frameworks for survivors and their children.
The findings of this research clearly show that there is a compelling need for enhanced and integrated measures on the human rights and security of Afghan women. It serves the discourse by highlighting defects and the absence of responsibility and accountability among local and global bodies. It also looks at the urgent need for restoring structures for women’s protection.