Research on Challenges, Barriers and Opportunities for Women-led CSOs in the Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Crisis

Afghanistan is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world with 24.4 million people, 55% of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance. In addition, the financial sanctions applied to Afghanistan after the takeover has paralyzed the banking system, led to a cash and liquidity crisis, and a 40% contraction of the GDP within a few weeks. As a result, Afghanistan is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.

As of August 2021, many civil society organi­zations (CSOs) led by women have reportedly stopped working and some heads of organizations and civil society members have left the country. This study looks at the challenges, barriers, and opportunities of women-led and women-focused CSOs across Afghanistan working in different sectors, with the aim to inform how part­ners can strengthen their power and agency and support them to respond to the needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities as well as their participation and leadership within the humanitarian response in Afghanistan. The study was commissioned by the Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) Working Group for Afghanistan’s humanitarian response.

This study has been made possible with the generosity of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the British Government.