KUNDUZ - Radio discussions centred on the elimination of violence against women reached audiences in north-eastern Kunduz and Baghlan provinces as part of a UNAMA-supported ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence’ campaign.

The campaign, which kicked off in Afghanistan and globally with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) on 25 November, involved UN agencies and their partners raising awareness about violence against women and mobilizing communities and people to advocate for social change where violence against women is not accepted or tolerated.   

During the campaign, UNAMA supported outreach activities in 13 provinces involving a diverse range of participants including scholars, university and schools students, religious leaders, government officials, women’s rights activists and civil society members. Thousands of people attended events, while millions more were reached via radio and television programming.  

For the Kunduz broadcasts, two recent radio programmes involved panel discussions of the situation of violence against women in the local community, progress made and recommendations for the future, along with implementation of Afghanistan’s Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) legislation and challenges ahead.

Panelists included the head of the Kunduz Department of Women’s Affairs, a member of the Kunduz Provincial Council and a women rights’ activist.

A similar radio discussion, also broadcast on local television, took place in Baghlan province.

Nahid Asifi, head of the Kunduz Department of Women’s Affairs, said that illiteracy, insecurity, poverty and unemployment are the main contributors to violence against women. More than 70 cases of violence against women in Kunduz have been registered since March.

“The cases mostly include divorce and separation, beating, verbal violence, and underage and forced marriages,” said Ms Asifi.

Fawzia Yaftaly, a member of the Kunduz Provincial Council, said women’s access to education and government attention to women’s affairs both play significant roles in reducing violence against women. Palwash Safi, a women rights’ activist in Kunduz, said that the participation of women in civic activities is important in reducing violence against women.

The United Nations is committed to supporting the Government of Afghanistan to ensure a life free of violence for women and girls, and their equal participation in public life.

The last 16 Days campaign activities in Afghanistan will take place in the north-eastern region, concluding next week.