Afghanistan: UN Report Reveals Severe Barriers to Justice for Women

Strategic Insights -

A new United Nations Human Rights Council report has exposed the systemic and severe barriers Afghan women face in accessing justice, citing exclusion from courts, closed shelters, and rising gender-based violence across the country. The report, compiled by Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, highlights the devastating consequences of government policies on Afghan women, including their removal from the judiciary and the closure of all women's shelters. Afghan women and girls are increasingly facing a worsening human rights situation, with complaints of domestic abuse, sexual violence, or child custody being routinely ignored or redirected to informal mediation systems dominated by men.

Key Takeaways:

  • Afghan women face "systemic and severe barriers" in accessing justice, including exclusion from courts and closed shelters.
  • Government policies have had "devastating consequences" for Afghan women, including their removal from the judiciary and the closure of all women's shelters.
  • The elimination of female judges, prosecutors, and lawyers has effectively erased safe pathways for survivors of violence seeking legal redress.
  • Complaints by women about domestic abuse, sexual violence, or child custody are routinely ignored or redirected to informal mediation systems dominated by men.
  • Prison conditions are "deeply degrading and unfit for human dignity," according to the report.
  • The absence of due process and continued detentions have created a climate of fear for Afghan women.
  • Human rights groups stated that the systemic exclusion of women from the justice system represents one of the most profound rollbacks of rights in recent decades.
  • The report documents cases of mistreatment and sexual violence against women in detention.
  • Bennett warned that the combination of collapsing legal institutions, declining international aid, and the closure of shelters has inflicted both physical and psychological trauma on Afghan women while severely restricting the work of female human rights defenders.
  • The international community is urged to press for the restoration of legal representation and protection mechanisms for Afghan women.

Statistics:

  • Period covered by the report: January to August 2025.
  • Number of female judges, prosecutors, and lawyers removed from the judiciary: not specified.
  • Number of women's shelters closed: all.
  • Number of cases of domestic abuse, sexual violence, or child custody complaints ignored or redirected to informal mediation systems: not specified.
  • Number of women subjected to mistreatment and sexual violence in detention: not specified.
  • Percentage of Afghan women who have experienced some form of violence: not specified.
  • Number of female human rights defenders prevented from working due to the closure of shelters: not specified.

Sources:

  • A UN report, cited in "Afghanistan women face severe barriers to justice" (Khaama Press, 2025).
  • The United Nations Human Rights Council report, compiled by Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett (2025).
  • "Afghanistan women face severe barriers to justice" (Khaama Press, 2025).