Human Rights Watch (HRW) has highlighted the serious issue of sexual abuses and threats faced by Afghan policewomen under both the former government and the current Taliban regime. Despite international efforts to bolster the representation and roles of women in the Afghan police force, the report reveals a continued failure to protect these women from widespread sexual violence and harassment.
HRW’s detailed report uncovers that during the former Afghan government’s era, policewomen were subjected to various forms of violence, including rape, attempted rape, and coerced sexual acts. The dire state of affairs was confirmed by a 2012 UN investigation which indicated that such abuses were both widespread and frequent. A significant obstacle for victims was the lack of an effective mechanism to report these abuses without fearing reprisal from male colleagues or damage to their reputations. The gender department within the Ministry of Interior, tasked with holding perpetrators accountable, often lacked the authority to investigate complaints or dismissed them outright, leaving victims without recourse.
With the Taliban’s ascendancy in 2021, the situation has only worsened. The Taliban government has dismantled previously established protective laws and institutions, hindering former policewomen’s ability to seek justice. Many have had to hide their identities or seek asylum abroad due to economic hardship, fear of Taliban persecution, and trauma from past abuses. The mental health of these women is gravely affected, with some requiring treatment for anxiety and depression, underscoring the urgency of HRW’s call for action.
Fereshta Abbasi, HRW’s Afghanistan researcher, elucidated the dire consequences of the current situation, noting that former policewomen face threats from authorities and increased violence from families opposing their prior employment as police. Additionally, these women face significant hurdles to resettlement abroad, including stringent application requirements and protracted and opaque processes.
HRW has called on the Taliban authorities to cease acts of intimidation and harassment against former policewomen and to investigate human rights violations in accordance with international standards. Moreover, HRW urged donor countries, including the US, UK, EU, and Japan, to prioritize former policewomen for resettlement and simplify the relocation process. There is a pressing need for comprehensive support services, including psychosocial resources, to assist these women in rebuilding their lives.
The historical and ongoing challenges faced by Afghan policewomen underscore the complexity of their situation. Extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of former security officers by the Taliban further exacerbate an already tense climate. Not only have policewomen been targeted by criminals, but familial opposition has also heightened their vulnerability. High-profile cases of violence against female police officers, such as the assassination of Afghanistan’s highest-ranking female police officer in 2008 and the fatal shootings of three senior female police officers in 2013, spotlight the peril these women continue to face.
For additional details and the complete HRW report, see the original article on JURIST.