Afghanistan - Conflict and Human Rights Flashcards
Outline the physical geography of Afghanistan.
Landlocked, mountainous, located in Southwest Asia
Outline the social geography of Afghanistan.
Very poor, development restricted from political instability and sanctions from USA and UN due to terrorists
What was Afghanistan’s Human Development Index as of 2013?
HDI - 0.468
What was the Infant Mortality Rate as one 2013?
117 per 1000 live births
What percentage of women aged over 25 years received secondary education?
5.8%
What is the population of Afghanistan?
30.5 million
What percentage of Afghanistan’s population earn less than US$2 per day?
65%
What is the largest sector of employment in Afghanistan?
Agriculture
Outline the Taliban Insurgency.
Taliban government not recognised as significant, controlled 90% of country pre-2001 but fundamentalist government was overthrown by USA and UN
What has happened recently regarding the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan?
Resurgence as US troops were removed resulting in massive human rights violations
How have world powers and organisations responded to the recent resurgence of the Taliban?
Initially refused all aid as they did not recognise the Taliban government as legitimate
How much of the country is believed to experience “emergency levels food insecurity” as of 2021 according to the UN?
10 out of 11 of Afghanistan’s most densely populated urban areas
What is the anticipated poverty rate for Afghanistan in mid-2022?
97%
Name five examples of human rights violations under the Taliban.
Disruption to 2014 Presidential election, attacks on journalists to limit freedom of speech, extra-judicial killings, kidnapping and torture, food insecurity due to heroin production rather than edible crops
What is the UNAMA and when was it established?
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, established by Security Council in 2002
What were the main goals of the UNAMA?
Creating sustainable peace, development
What are three of the UN’s goals for Afghanistan?
Promote respect for international humanitarian and human rights laws, co-ordinate efforts of all organisations and communities, achieve full employment of rights
What laws have been implemented by the Afghan government?
Law on the Duties and Structures of the Independent Elections Commission, Elimination of Violence Against Women Law
How has the Afghan government attempted to decrease gender inequality in the country?
Tried to remove the limitation on the number of women in Parliament
Name an NGO working in Afghanistan and outline what they are trying to achieve.
Afghan Aid, sustainable rural development strategies
Name four other NGOs that are helping in Afghanistan.
Action Aid, CARE International, International Rescue Committee, International Committee of the Red Cross
Before the recent insurgence, how many children were in education in comparison to before NGO efforts?
In 2014 6 million children attended school, up from 1 million in 2001
How much did access to primary health care increase from 2003?
From 3% to over 50%
What has happened to Maternal Mortality Rate since 2001?
It has halved
Has the impact of global governance been uniform across the country?
No, rural areas are lagging significantly behind urban areas but there have been improved protection of human rights in all regions
Name an example of an inhospitable and isolated area in Afghanistan.
Chaghcharan district, Ghor
What are some of the projects being conducted in the Chaghcharan District in Ghor?
EU and Afghan Aid supporting effective agricultural practices, clean water supply, hygiene
What were some of the problems in the Chaghcharan District in Ghor?
Increasingly politically insecure, serious gender inequality including selling of daughter, lack of services
How has the Chaghcharan District, Ghor benefitted from global governance?
Women are more integrated into society, democratic practices supported by elected community groups, improved infrastructure
What are some of the problems faced by neighbourhoods in Kabul?
Human rights neglected due to rapid expansion, lack of services
How have NGOs and other organisations improved life in Kabul neighbourhoods?
33 elected Community Development Councils of approximately 250 households each, plans include bottom-up approach eg housing, infrastructure, electricity, sanitation, services
How have neighbourhoods in Kabul benefitted from global governance?
Improved engagement of women, employment opportunities, security of land tenure for informal settlements, improved roads
