In a landmark step for joint advocacy, HAMRAH released its first collective Policy Note on Access to Justice and Protection for Women and Girls in Afghanistan, ahead of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Rooted in the lived experiences of HAMRAH’s cohort, the note sheds light on the devastating consequences of the Taliban’s dismantling of Afghanistan’s pre-2021 justice and protection frameworks.

The Policy Note highlights the way in which women and girls are deliberately and systematically prevented from accessing justice and protection under the de facto authorities and addresses additional barriers to justice and protection faced by women and girls with disabilities and with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity.

HAMRAH cohort members are showing how Afghan CSOs can successfully navigate and hold civic space in an increasingly hostile environment to provide education, legal assistance, emergency financial and other assistance to women, girls and other marginalised groups.