"Now there is security, but we do not feel safe at all" - Women's lived experiences of safety and security in Afghanistan

Since August 2021, Afghanistan has experienced a marked decline in large-scale armed conflict, punctuated by intermittent clashes with Pakistan along the border throughout the first months of 2026. However, as this report lays out, there is evidence to suggest that improvements in conflict-related security have not translated into improved lived safety, particularly for women, with a widening gap emerging between structural stability and everyday experiences of insecurity.

This report examines how Afghan women and men perceive, experience and manage safety and security in their daily lives. Rather than presenting a single narrative of improvement or decline, the report analyses how restrictive governance practices, social norms and household dynamics intersect to shape who feels secure and safe, and under which conditions.

The report findings point to a persistent disconnect between reductions in armed violence and lived safety, highlighting how security gains not accompanied by policies enshrining equality, inclusive access, predictable institutions and dignity in daily life remain limited in their ability to support sustained well-being and stability.