Women in Afghanistan are nearly four times less likely than men to have access to formal justice mechanisms, according to new findings released by the UN on International Women’s Day, highlighting a widening gap that leaves many women without safe ways to seek protection or resolve disputes.
The findings, based on nationwide consultations conducted in December 2025, show that only 14 percent of women surveyed reported having access to formal dispute resolution services, compared with 53 percent of men.
The report was compiled by UN Women, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the International Organization for Migration through in-person and online consultations with more than 800 women and 160 men across the country.
UN officials said the growing disparity has left many women with limited options to challenge abuse or pursue legal protection.
“When large segments of society face barriers to resolving disputes or seeking protection, it weakens trust in institutions and leaves communities and individuals more vulnerable,” said Georgette Gagnon, acting head of UNAMA.
Susan Ferguson, the special representative of UN Women in Afghanistan, said access to justice is essential for women’s safety and dignity.
“When women are excluded from justice institutions, it undermines their safety, autonomy and their few remaining opportunities to seek help outside of the home,” she said, adding that the issue is particularly serious for women experiencing domestic violence.
More than half of the women surveyed said their access to justice had worsened over the past year.
Many respondents attributed the decline to decisions by the Taliban authorities to suspend or dismantle several key institutions, including the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, as well as the removal of many women from the legal profession and the closure of services designed to support women seeking justice.
UN officials also said a recent decree on discretionary punishments introduced additional barriers for women attempting to pursue legal protection.
Access to informal dispute resolution systems, such as community jirgas and shuras, was also significantly lower for women, further limiting their ability to resolve conflicts or seek help.
Participants in the consultations called for steps to strengthen legal protections for women, including restoring women-centered dispute resolution mechanisms, establishing women-only community committees and expanding access to confidential counseling and legal support services.
The findings were released as part of the 2026 International Women’s Day campaign, whose global theme — “Rights, Justice, Action. For All Women and Girls” — calls for dismantling barriers to equal justice, including discriminatory laws and social practices that undermine women’s rights.
