Illicit Weapons and Gun Violence in Afghanistan: The Impact on Women’s Lives

Women play diverse roles in the context of armed conflict; as culturally designated caregivers, women must struggle to support their families and keep their households together while the breadwinners fight, or are apprehended or killed. Women and girls are equally affected in a fragile environment where social services and other basic needs become harder/impossible to fulfil. As a primary provider, women are exposed to further abuse. Through this research report, the Afghan Women’s Network aims to expand the broader context and discussion on the impact of armed conflict, so as to spark debate on the legal frameworks that exist concerning small arms and light weapons.. A further aim of the research is to identify, classify, and document their impact, and that of illicit weapons, on women’s lives in both urban and non-urban areas.