GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE DISPATCH - As an International Community, We Cannot Turn Our Backs on the Women and Children

As in nearly all conflicts and humanitarian crises, it Critical pillars in the pursuit of democracy, security, is the women and children who now shoulder the and development, some of the most courageous burden of most of the fallout in Afghanistan, including women in the country have been threatened, as- increased instances of gender-based violence. [...] This publication aims to focus on the intersection of gender-based violence and the rule of law by examining how legal frameworks, judicial system responses, and public policy contribute to the ways in which gender-based violence is—and is not—addressed around the world. [...] Those who have protest- women and children and other ed the restriction of their rights and agency in this way—including journalists documenting the strug- vulnerable populations.” gle8— have been harassed and assaulted.9 Women’s shelters have been shuttered, and survi- Today, the Taliban and other perverse actors like vors of violence have been forced back into homes the Islamic State Khorasan (I. [...] Actions taken in the months and years ahead Female judges and lawyers who were instrumental not only have the capacity to improve millions of in the advancement of access to justice and lives but also to demonstrate the authenticity of the anti-gender-based violence efforts are being hunted world’s commitment to confronting injustice and by the very criminals whom they worked to put gender-based v. [...] Though “Afghan refugees face the harsh the withdrawal may be complete, the international challenge of survival with limited community shoulders a responsibility to protect the status and well-being of the Afghan people, espe- access to resources or protection.” cially the most vulnerable.