CASE STUDY - Afganistan

Question 1

Afghanistan overview

Answer 1

• Landlocked, largely mountainous
• In southwest Asia
• Development held back by long period of political instability

Question 2

HDI?

Answer 2

0.468, 169th out of 187 countries

Question 3

IMR? (infant mortality rate)

Answer 3

117 per 1000

Question 4

Female education statistics?

Answer 4

5.8% of women over 25 had received secondary education

Question 5

Income statistics?

Answer 5

65% of the 30.5 million population live on less than $2 per day - most employed in agriculture
Agriculture - 80% of labour force - 31% contribution to GDP
Industry - 10% of labour force - 26% contribution to GDP
Services - 10% of labour force - 43% contribution to GDP

Question 6

Taliban background

Answer 6

• Taliban not recognised as legitimate government, but were in control of 90% of the country before 2001
• Their fundamentalist government was later overthrown by USA and allies, however resurgence especially in the south has led to continued violation of many human rights
• By end of 2014, NATO-led combat troops officially completed their mission in Afghanistan, around 10,000 advisory forces remained to train Afghan military
• Negotiated peace in 2020 meant that US forces withdrew, however this led to Taliban taking back full control in 2021

Question 7

Decline in human rights under the Taliban

Answer 7

• Increased domestic violence toward women, continued inequality in access to employment, health services and education
• Attacks on journalists and decline in freedom of expression
• Increased kidnapping, detentions and torture
• Issue of food security heightened

Question 8

What is the initiative established by the UN?

Answer 8

• The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
• Established by the Security Council in 2002 in order to help achieve sustainable peace and development

Question 9

UNAMA aims:

Answer 9

• Promote respect for international humanitarian and human rights laws
• Co-ordinate efforts of all organisations and communities to ensure protection
• Promote accountability
• Work toward equal rights for women, displaced persons and returning refugees (estimated 750,000 are displaced)

Question 10

Role of the Afghan government

Answer 10

• Afghan government has joined the Economic Cooperation Organisation and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to help promote economic growth
• Passed laws such as Law on the Duties and Structures of the Independent Elections Commission to help improve the democratic process and Elimination of Violence Against Women Law of 2009
• Attempts being made to pass a law to remove the quota for number of women in the Afghan Parliament

Question 11

Role of Afghan Aid (an NGO)

Answer 11

• Involved in sustainable rural development strategies
• Co-ordinates project work with that of the UN and Afghan government
• 2023, has reached 406,070 men, women and children with humanitarian relief, including emergency food parcels and cash assistance
• Supported 447,293 women to enhance their economic engagement, inclusion in local governance and full participation in community life

Question 12

Consequences of global governance of human rights for rural communities

Answer 12

Chaghcharan District, Ghor

• Basic rights in this area have been neglected by the effects of the conflict, including serious gender inequality, selling of daughters, limited access to services (eg. education, sanitation and healthcare)
• Afghan Aid one of many NGOs working in the field to co-ordinate donor funding, input of Afghan government, and the work of local communities
• EU funding and Afghan Aid training have introduced more effective agricultural practices, reduced risk of disease by securing safe water supplies and improved hygiene
• Local people now have greater freedoms, women becoming increasingly integrated in society, strengthened by election of community groups

Question 13

Consequences of global governance of human rights for urban communities

Answer 13

Kabul

• Denial of basic human rights plus rapid urban growth in Kabul (economic and security motivated rural-urban migration) has deprived local communities of many services
• UN Habitat working to co-ordinate Afghan government, local governments, community councils and funding from Japanese government to upgrade neighbourhoods in the 33 provincial capitals and Kabul
• Basis of these projects is election of Community Development Councils (CDCs), each include around 200-250 households
• In most CDC areas, plans include upgrading of housing, infrastructure, electricity, sanitation, schools and healthcare
• Also work to improve employment opportunities, esp for women, security of land tenure for informal settlements, improved roads and drainage and greater provision of shops

Question 14

Consequences of global governance of human rights for local communities

Answer 14

• Afghan government supported by international organisations to engage in local community projects, local residents elected and form their own plans and priorities for the areas in which they live
• By 2014, nearly 6 million children were attending school, up from 1 million in 2001
• Access to primary healthcare increased to 50% up from 9% in 2003
• Average life expectancy increased from 55 to 61 (2000 vs 2013)
• Effects however beginning to be reversed upon Taliban taking back control of country in 2021, exact figures unknown