Publications - Released in 2007
Women constitute roughly 49% of Afghanistan's 23.3 million people. The development of women's human capital is strongly articulated in principle 5 of the Afghanistan Compact (AC) and highlighted as one of the 3 goals of gender equity in the Interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy (I-ANDS). The importance of this imperative cannot be overemphasized because women constitute an enormous reservoir of human resources that could significantly bolster the government's effort to rebuild the nation.
The current situation of women in the country presents a serious challenge to human development. The women of Afghanistan are among the worst off in the world, both in comparison to Afghan men and with women of most countries.
The advancement of women has always been central to our pursuit of national peace and reconstruction. From the Bonn Agreement to the Constitution, Afghanistan Compact and Interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy (I-ANDS), we have remained steadfast in our commitment to pursue gender equality and the empowerment of women in all spheres of life. As articulated in the I-ANDS, it is the goal of Government to eliminate discrimination against women, develop their human capital, and promote their leadership in order to guarantee their full and equal participation in all aspects of life.