Afghanistan

Afghanistan is an impoverished nation. It is one of the poorest and most undeveloped nations in the world. The average individual in the country lives on less than two US dollars a day. The life expectancy rate for the average Afghan male or female is only forty-three years. The infant mortality rate is very high at an average of 160 deaths per 1000 births. Micronutrient deficiencies among the people are widespread in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has suffered from chronic instability. The Soviet invasion in the late seventies followed by the political and military strife has caused the Afghan economy to suffer severely. However, since 2002, the Afghan economy has been able to turn around and grow. One-third of the economy comes from the growth of poppy within the country and the production of illicit drugs. Non-drug GDP has increasingly grown since 2002.

Reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan represent the more positive aspects of the changing Afghan economy. There are two mains aims in the current reconstruction effort in the country. One goal is to rebuild the crucial infrastructures throughout the nation. The second objective is to change the Soviet style public sector institutions to more modern forms that promote market-led growth and development. Water supply systems and power lines throughout the Afghan country are currently being rebuilt. Moreover, reconstruction efforts to rebuild the nation’s roads are underway.

Market orientated institutions and private development has greatly helped the nation’s economy. The million of refugees who returned to Afghanistan in recent years brought with them an entrepreneurial drive and the skills that are needed in order to create and run the businesses that are slowly beginning to be established in the Afghan nation.

Yet, despite the recent economic growth, over half the population still lives below the poverty line. On top of the two decades of war and civil strife, the country has also experienced a number of natural disasters that has severely affected the lives of Afghans each year. Moreover, environmental degradation is a major problem of the country. Encroachment of the pasturelands, overgrazing, and war has reduced the vegetation in the nation. Agricultural productivity as a result has been reduced.

The Taliban Regime was characterized by partaking in gross human rights violations. The regime controlled approximately 95% of the country. In order to wield its power over the country, the Taliban used the force of violence. The regime regularly partook in practices of torture, flogging, severing limbs, imprisoning individuals without trial, jailing individuals because of their ethnic origins, arbitrary intrusion into individuals’ homes, and systematic executions. Under the regime, men were forced to grow beards and women were required to wear the traditional Islamic burqa. Women were not allowed to attend schools and had to work inside the home.

Since the overthrow of the Taliban regime, human rights in Afghanistan have gotten better. The Independent Afghan Human Rights Commission was created under the 2001 Bonn Agreement. The commission examines human rights abuses in Afghanistan and investigates war crimes. However, the commission was unable to carry out some of its investigations as it lacked resources including lack of phones, offices, and vehicles. Several human rights groups within the country are unable to operate effectively as they lack resources and the funds needed in order to operate.

Yet, despite the calls for human rights and for the independent commission to look into any violations to human rights in Afghanistan, it seems that the current government in Afghanistan is at times reluctant or unable to protect basic individuals’ rights. Human rights violations in Afghanistan arise in part due to the absence of a judicial system and as the result of a lack of law enforcement within the country. Ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan include: illegal search and seizure of property, torture, arbitrary arrest, and trafficking of individuals.

Women have been granted greater rights including freedom to attend schools and to work in public spheres. Yet, violations to women’s rights continue. According to a report by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, 50% of the women in the country have been beaten leading to mental and physical injury. The report avows that 38% of the women in Afghanistan have been forced into their marriage. Furthermore, if a woman hasn’t passed the legal age of 16, the father has the authority to make the decision about his daughter’s marriage. According to an article within the constitution the girl can’t be married off if she is under the age of 15. Yet, because of lack of punishment of violators and improper traditions, children continue to be married off.

Talk about AIDS remains a social stigma in the nation. As a result, individuals in the nation know little about the disease in terms of the causes and how it could be treated. The World Health Organization has estimated that between 1,000-2,000 individuals in Afghanistan are affected by HIV/AIDS. However, a consultant for the World Health Organization stated that the number in reality is most likely much higher. International experts as well as Afghan health experts state that the nation of Afghanistan is vulnerable to HIV/AIDS as a result of poor education about the disease, drug addiction, and because of the numerous refugees who are returning to the country and spreading the disease after having sex with individuals who were affected.

According to the World Bank, even after the health sector had been internationally assisted for five years, only thirty percent of the blood that is used for transfusions in the medical centers in Afghanistan has been screened for HIV. The government’s hospitals screen eighty percent of the blood that is use in transfusions. Yet, numerous institutions still do not screen the blood that is used. Many of the health workers remain ill-informed about HIV/AIDS. Such workers are careless and often reuse needles, which in turn can spread the disease.

Prostitutes from foreign countries have come to the country and have spread the disease. Though homosexuality is a crime in the country, homosexual individuals still remain in areas of the country. Many gay individuals are uneducated about the risks and have unprotected sex. In turn, this puts them most at risk of contracting the disease.

Unfortunately, because of a lack of money the country has not been able to combat the disease to a great extent. Many donors believe there is a lack of urgency to donate funds to fight the HIV/AIDS in Afghanistan as the country has a low prevalence of the disease as compared with other countries. Dr. Saifur Rehman, the director of the National AIDS Control program in the Ministry of Health, stated that the ministry was working to educate the mullahs who at times influence the people of Afghanistan. By working with them, the ministry hopes to encourage health education about the disease and to mitigate the stigma about HIV/AIDS. The country has no AIDS treatment centers and there are no antiretroviral drugs that are available in Afghanistan. There exists only one single clinic, which is located in the capital city. However, the confidential clinic only monitors the disease, nothing else.

According to the World Health Organization, the nation of Afghanistan has one of the highest tuberculosis (TB) rates in the world. On average, there are 70,000 newly reported cases of TB in the country each year. Approximately, 20,000 individuals die each year from TB. World organizations such as the International Medical Corps are working to educate Afghans about the disease, test individuals, and to help treat those affected. Yet, countless individuals remained uniformed and untreated.

There is also a prevalence of Malaria in Afghanistan. Close to 500,000 individuals are affected with the disease in Afghanistan. Insecticide mesquite nets are used in order to help combat the illness. Measures have been implemented in the country to educate individuals, to diagnosis individuals affected with Malaria, and to treat persons with the disease.

Afghanistan’s health sector is in dire need of assistance. Medication is scarce in the country. Moreover, in 2002, on average there were only four hospital beds available for every 10,000 people. Most of the health institutions are located in the capital city, Kabul. Most individuals have to traverse the countryside in order to get to the facilities. The international community primarily provides the health care in the country. There are no hospitals in twenty-four of the thirty-one provinces in Afghanistan. For every 10,000 people, there is on average only 1.8 physicians available. The physicians in Afghanistan need to be trained and retrained in order to expand their knowledge about various diseases and in order to improve their skills.

The country if Afghanistan is currently facing a number of environmental issues, including: overgrazing, desertification, air and water pollution, soil degradation, and limited number of natural fresh water resources. Other significant ecological problems that the nation is facing include deforestation and drought. Useful agricultural areas have been destroyed as a result of neglect and bombardments. Moreover, even though the nation’s forests are sparse, several of Afghanistan’s forests continue to be cut down in order to respond to the fuel needs of the Afghan people. As of 2002, only 1-2% of the nation’s land was covered by forests. In addition, refugees who have returned to the country have been settling down in the capital city, Kabul, instead of settling in the villages and fields. As a result, the individuals have placed stress on those cities’ infrastructures. In turn, this has cause deteriorating sanitation conditions and has caused increase levels of pollution.

Moreover, a number of the country’s animals are endangered and several of the nation’s plants are being threatened. The snow leopard, Argali sheep, Kabul markhor, the white-head duck, and the Siberian white crane are all animals currently endangered in Afghanistan. The Caspian tigers in Afghanistan are virtually nonexistent.

A person is considered literate in Afghanistan if they are of the age 15 or older and can read and write. Only 36% of the population is considered to be literate. 51% of the country’s male population is considered to be literate, while only 21% of the female population is considered to be literate.

Education in Afghanistan really suffered during the Taliban regime. Male education was not stressed and women were strictly banned from attending schools. However, since the fall of the Taliban regime there have been significant improvements. Today, both males and females are allowed to attend the country’s schools. In 2006, over four million students were enrolled in schools in Afghanistan. In addition, Kabul University was allowed to reopen after the overthrow of the regime. In 2006, American University in Afghanistan officially opened allowing students to enroll from Afghanistan as well as from neighboring countries. In addition to public schools, Islamic madrassa schools operate within the country. The madrassa schools study the Qu’ran and the Hadith (teachings of the Prophet Mohammad), as well as a number of other religious texts.

Afghan schools have been severely damaged and continue to suffer from the over twenty years of civil war. As of 2003, only half of the 7,000 schools in Afghanistan had access to clean drinking water. In addition, less than 40% of the schools had adequate levels of sanitation. However, since the overthrow of the Taliban regime, school facilities have improved and continue to get better each day.

Afghanaid - Afghanaid assists rural communities in Afghanistan. Our approach requires the active involvement of the communities and works with community groups, which are active in the implementation of projects. Our projects include income generation (beekeeping), agriculture (improved wheat seed, vegetable gardens, tree planting), veterinary work, vocational training of women, food security, health education, sanitation and road and bridge building. Afghanaid is committed to working with Afghan communities regardless of the political and military situation. Because of our neutral stance we have been able to carry out our work under a number of governments, often in difficult circumstances. The vast majority of our staff well over 90% - are Afghan, many of whom are local to the projects on which they work. This has allowed us to continue to run our program even when foreigners have been unable to enter Afghanistan. Our aim is to ensure that the

Afghan Disabled Union (ADU) - To empower disabled men and women in Afghanistan through capacity building to obtain their due rights through peaceful means and to raise awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities among the population of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Evaluation and Research Center - The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) is an independent, Afghanistan-based research organization. Its purpose is to conduct quality action-oriented research that will inform and influence policy and practice in order to improve Afghan lives. AREU’s current major research areas include governance, political economy and markets, livelihoods, gender, natural resource management, health, and education.

Afghanistan Foundation - The Afghanistan Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan, independent organization located in Washington, D.C., a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol, founded by former U.S. Congressman Don Ritter. The Afghanistan Foundation serves as a vehicle for partnership between Afghans, Americans and others in the international community who wish to bring peace, stability and prosperity to Afghanistan. It fosters public and governmental understanding regarding Afghanistan and its people. It seeks to promote more effective U.S. policies for peace, economic development, humanitarian assistance, cultural appreciation and a deeper understanding by the American public of the Afghan people's historic sacrifice and achievement in helping to bring about an end to the Cold War.

Afghan Refuge Coalition - Our mission is to support the Afghan refugees of Pakistan by means of fundraising money from our communities in order to procure needed supplies to be sent through the support of the Afghanistan Peace Association. Our mission is also to inform our communities about the harsh conditions of the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan and to present people with the opportunity to support and contribute to this international cause.

Aina World - Aïna World is an international NGO dedicated to the reconstruction of civil society through local independent media and culture projects. At present, our activities in Afghanistan include: Eight media and cultural centers in Kabul and in the provinces; a radio production unit; a video production unit: A photojournalism agency; a communication agency; a national radio monitoring department; and a print press department supporting 7 publications. Approximately 250 Afghans and 25 expatriates work with Aina in Afghanistan. More details at www.ainaworld.org.

Global Partnership for Afghanistan - The Global Partnership for Afghanistan works for the re-greening of Afghanistan. From forests to farms, we aim to help people who are reviving croplands, orchards, vineyards, rural villages, their country and their economy. We also support environmental renewal for the public good through restoring lost forests and planting new ones in areas of great need. Our projects aim for sustainable employment and development. Through loans and other incentives, training, new methodologies, materials and technical expertise, we support all who work the land in projects that will be self-perpetuating.

Help the Afghan Children - our mission is to help Afghan children become educated, healthy, and productive citizens who are able to fully contribute to building Afghanistan's civil society. We accomplish this by working with supporting partners to establish model community-based schools in different regions of Afghanistan; by providing training to local educators to enhance their professional capacities; and by developing and introducing innovative learning programs.

Kids for Afghan Kids - Our mission is to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, including returning refugees, to create an opportunity for cooperative efforts between the United States and Afghanistan, and to develop and enhance educational and cultural understanding and exchange opportunities.

RAWA - The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, was established in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1977 as an independent political/social organization of Afghan women fighting for human rights and for social justice in Afghanistan. The founders were a number of Afghan woman intellectuals under the sagacious leadership of Meena who in 1987 was assassinated in Quetta, Pakistan, by Afghan agents of the then KGB in connivance with fundamentalist band of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

US-Afghanistan Reconstruction Council, Inc. - US-ARC is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist in the reconstruction of a civil society in Afghanistan by procuring and coordinating human, material and financial resources and applying them to community-centered projects in partnership with the beneficiaries/ stakeholders. The members of the US-Afghanistan Reconstruction Council (US-ARC) have been working diligently since September 2001 to realize their vision of rebuilding a viable, self-sustaining, healthy and educated society in Afghanistan. Most of the people affiliated with US-ARC are of Afghan heritage, speak one or more of the indigenous languages and have an innate understanding of Afghan culture.

Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is an organization of Afghan and non-Afghan women from the New York area who are committed to ensuring the human rights of Afghan women. WAW promotes the agency of local Afghan women through the creation of safe forums where Afghan women can network, develop programs to meet their specific needs, and participate in human rights advocacy in the international sphere. WAW raises funds for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, particularly schools and health facilities for women and children. Recognizing that the ability to earn their living is fundamental to the empowerment of women, WAW supports the development of vocational training programs for women in Afghanistan who have been denied access to education and professional training. The inclusion of women in all decision-making processes is a requirement of a democratic society. WAW advocates for the representation of women in all areas of life in Afghanistan: political, social, cultural and economic. Afghan people are never forgotten.

Help Afghan Women - Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is an organization of Afghan and non-Afghan women from the New York area who are committed to ensuring the human rights of Afghan women. WAW promotes the agency of local Afghan women through the creation of safe forums where Afghan women can network, develop programs to meet their specific needs, and participate in human rights advocacy in the international sphere. We are urgently seeking volunteers to help with a wide variety of projects. These projects include working to connect women in Afghanistan to health care, assisting our Outreach Director at our community center for Afghan women in Queens, supporting our Afghanistan Safe House Project, as well as development and fundraising.

Knit and Crochet for the People of Afghanistan - Americans are making ... Afghans for Afghans! Please join us by knitting or crocheting a wool blanket, sweater, vest, mittens, socks, and/or hat for Afghan women, men, and children. Your gift of a handmade blanket or garment will bring comfort and warmth to Afghan families who continue to suffer from war, oppression, and poverty. Your lovingly made blankets and garments send a message of friendship and respect to our fellow humans on the other side of the globe.

Women Beyond Borders is a student-organized women’s human rights organization that works in solidarity with community-based women’s organizations worldwide to ensure women’s equality in all sectors. We partner with organizations that are run by women for women, and which meet a need in their respective communities that larger, international or government funded organizations may not. Through local fundraising we help fund women’s aid projects operated by our sister organizations, and through lobbying and education we strive to defend the basic human rights of women worldwide. Locally, we are committed to educating our own community about the status of women in the world, as well as ensuring the well-being and empowerment of our hard-working members, each of whom enliven this group with their passion and dedication as they tirelessly inspire social change.