Overview

Due to cultural conceptions of honour and lack of awareness, gender-based violence is rarely reported in Afghanistan. Even when it is, police officials are often dismissive, unwilling to enter into family matters, or simply unsure how to respond.

Since 2009, UNFPA has worked with the Ministry of Interior and the National Police Academy to ensure that police trainees recognize and prevent gender-based violence, are aware of their duties when it is reported to them, and respond sensitively and ethically.

To this end, UNFPA developed a manual on Police Taking Action on Violence Against Women which was approved for integration into police training programmes by the Ministry of Interior. The manual defines gender-based violence, excerpts relevant legislation, discusses the ethics and techniques of dealing with cases, and case management. It refers extensively to Islamic texts, including the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

UNFPA used the manual to develop a course and train teaching staff at the National Police Academy which now has 2,000 students enrolled in 6-month courses and 500 in a three-year programme based on the manual. Short trainings are also provided to 200 trainees each year.

UNFPA also works closely to strengthen other actors in the law-enforcement sector that are essential to addressing gender-based violence. In this sense, around 270 judges and prosecutors from 17 provinces have been trained on key aspects of Islamic, national and international law regarding gender-based violence.