Underfunded and restricted: The struggle of Afghan women’s rights NGOs

The situation of Afghan women survivors of gender-based violence is grim, and it extends to people trying to help them. The few organizations still able to assist them face restrictions from the Taliban regime and struggle with the lack of international funding.

By Jenny Lei Ravelo // 24 November 2022

Karima, 28, had an arranged marriage in 2015. But soon her husband started beating her.

In her distress, she sought counseling in March from an Afghan women’s NGO. When staffers saw her bloodied face, they knew something was wrong. But when they asked her what happened, she said she had only “fallen down,” and feared going to a doctor.

After much urging, Karima — whose real name is hidden due to security issues — admitted that the bruises were caused by her husband. But she was afraid to go to court, thinking she would only be blamed for her predicament.

More reading:

► 70% of Afghan households can't meet basic needs: World Bank survey

► Opinion: We need a global treaty on gender-based violence

► Opinion: By failing Afghan women, we are failing women everywhere

About the author

Jenny Lei Ravelo @JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.