Analysis of the Significant Increase of Gender-Based Violence During the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Conflict Zone: the Case of Afghanistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18196/jiwp.v6i1.12695Keywords:
Afghanistan, COVID-19, Gender Based Violence, PolicyAbstract
Since it was recorded for the first time in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019, the number of cases of coronavirus infections around the world has been increasing every day. WHO further declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This pandemic certainly has direct implications for the country's condition, especially concerning issues of women and children. As one of the worst-performing countries in providing gender-based protection, Afghanistan has shown a significant increase in the number of gender-based physical, sexual, and psychological violence during the pandemic. By applying the structural violence and neopatriarchy approaches, this article conducted an in-depth analysis of the problem formulation of why Afghanistan experienced a significant increase in cases of gender-based violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research results revealed that the patriarchal culture rooted in the constitution, competition in the legal system, and erosion in government institutions are some of the structural factors that have led to a significant increase in the number of gender-based violence in Afghanistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The above factors have also caused several policies passed by the government during the pandemic that severely discriminated against women and children.References
Book
Baskin, J. (2008). ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ ΠΑΡΟΧΗΣ ΑΕΡΙΟΥ ΑΤΤΙΚΗΣ Page 1 of 2. March, 6–7.
Journal
Bahri, J. (2014). Western gender policies in Afghanistan: Failing women and provoking men. Gender, Technology and Development, 18(2), 163–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971852414529480
Choudhury, S. (2016). Women and conflict in India. Women and Conflict in India, October, 1–162. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315731988
Galtung, J. (n.d.). Violence, peace,.
Galtung, J. (1990). Cultural Violence. Journal of Peace Research, 27(3), 291–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343390027003005
Habiba, U., Ali, R., & Ashfaq, A. (2016). From Patriarchy to Neopatriarchy: Experiences of Women from Pakistan. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 6(3), 212–221.
Kandiyoti, D. (2007). Old dilemmas or new challenges? The politics of gender and reconstruction in Afghanistan. Development and Change, 38(2), 169–199. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.2007.00408.x
Mannell, J., Grewal, G., Ahmad, L., & Ahmad, A. (2021). A Qualitative Study of Women’s Lived Experiences of Conflict and Domestic Violence in Afghanistan. Violence Against Women, 27(11), 1862–1878. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801220935191
Moghadam, V. M. (2002). Patriarchy, the Taleban, and politics of public space in Afghanistan. Women’s Studies International Forum, 25(1), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5395(02)00224-8
Mosse, J. C. (1993). Back matter - Half the World Half a Chance. Half the World, Half a Chance, 211–232. https://doi.org/10.3362/9780855987633.010
Samar, S. (2019). Feminism, Peace, and Afghanistan. Journal of International Affairs.
Stokes, S., Seritan, A. L., & Miller, E. (2016). Care Seeking Patterns Among Women Who Have Experienced Gender-Based Violence in Afghanistan. Violence Against Women, 22(7), 817–831. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801215616807
Qazi Zada, S. (2021). Legislative, institutional and policy reforms to combat violence against women in Afghanistan. Indian Journal of International Law, 59(1–4), 257–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40901-020-00116-x
Wylie, G. (2003). Women’s rights and ‘righteous war.’ 217–223.
AfghanistanAnalystNetwork. (2020). Covid-19 in Afghanistan (7): The effects of the pandemic on the private lives and safety of women at home. AfghanistanAnalystNetwork. https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/economy-development-environment/covid-19-in-afghanistan-7-the-effects-of-the-pandemic-on-the-private-lives-and-safety-of-women-at-home/
Bahri, J. (2014). Western gender policies in Afghanistan: Failing women and provoking men. Gender, Technology and Development, 18(2), 163–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971852414529480
Barr, H. (2020). A crucial moment for women’s rights in Afghanistan. Human Right Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/05/crucial-moment-womens-rights-afghanistan
Baskin, J. (2008). ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ ΠΑΡΟΧΗΣ ΑΕΡΙΟΥ ΑΤΤΙΚΗΣ Page 1 of 2. March, 6–7.
Choudhury, S. (2016). Women and conflict in India. Women and Conflict in India, October, 1–162. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315731988
Cousins, S. (2020). A quiet crisis: As the economy fractures, violence soars for Afghan women. The New Humanitarian. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2020/12/16/Afghanistan-women-economy-gender-based-violence
Galtung, J. (n.d.). Violence, peace,.
Galtung, J. (1990). Cultural Violence. Journal of Peace Research, 27(3), 291–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343390027003005
Habiba, U., Ali, R., & Ashfaq, A. (2016). From Patriarchy to Neopatriarchy: Experiences of Women from Pakistan. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 6(3), 212–221.
Hossaini, K. (2020). Covid-19 in Afghanistan (7): The effects of the pandemic on the private lives and safety of women at home - Afghanistan Analysts Network - English. 7.
Kandiyoti, D. (2007). Old dilemmas or new challenges? The politics of gender and reconstruction in Afghanistan. Development and Change, 38(2), 169–199. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.2007.00408.x
Kandiyoti, D. (2018). Reconstruction & Women’s Rights in Afghanistan. April.
Mannell, J., Grewal, G., Ahmad, L., & Ahmad, A. (2021). A Qualitative Study of Women’s Lived Experiences of Conflict and Domestic Violence in Afghanistan. Violence Against Women, 27(11), 1862–1878. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801220935191
Martin, L., & Parto, S. (n.d.). On Shaky Grounds COVID-19 and Afghanistan’s Social, Political and Economic Capacities for Sustainable Peace.
Matilda Carlsson. (2016). Conflict-Related Sexual Violence--A Cross-National Comparison of Circumstances Related to State Forces ’ Use of Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict s. January 2016, 56. http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:897318/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Moghadam, V. M. (2002). Patriarchy, the Taleban, and politics of public space in Afghanistan. Women’s Studies International Forum, 25(1), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5395(02)00224-8
Mosse, J. C. (1993). Back matter - Half the World Half a Chance. Half the World, Half a Chance, 211–232. https://doi.org/10.3362/9780855987633.010
Nasimi, S. (2014). The devastating truth of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Open Democracy. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opensecurity/devastating-truth-of-womens-rights-in-afghanistan/
Network, A. A., & Kazemi, S. R. (2020). Covid-19 in {Afghanistan} (5): {Snapshots} of women’s living under coronavirus in and around {Herat} city. May.
Qazi Zada, S. (2021). Legislative, institutional and policy reforms to combat violence against women in Afghanistan. Indian Journal of International Law, 59(1–4), 257–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40901-020-00116-x
Samar, S. (2019). Feminism, Peace, and Afghanistan. Journal of International Affairs.
Stokes, S., Seritan, A. L., & Miller, E. (2016). Care Seeking Patterns Among Women Who Have Experienced Gender-Based Violence in Afghanistan. Violence Against Women, 22(7), 817–831. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801215616807
UN Women. (2020). COVID-19 and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. UN Women Headquarters, 10. https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2020/issue-brief-covid-19-and-ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-en.pdf?la=en&vs=5006
UNAMA & OHCHR. (2009). End the Abuse of Women in Afghanistan. July, 1–32. https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/vaw-english_1.pdf%0A
UNDP. (2020). Gender Based Violence and Covid-19. UNDP Brief, 6. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-empowerment/gender-based-violence-and-covid-19.html
Wylie, G. (2003). Women’s rights and ‘righteous war.’ 217–223.
Yoyo. (2018). Neo-patriarchy and the Problem of the Arab Crisis: A CritiCal study on Hisham Sharabi’s Works. Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies, 6(2), 251–267. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v6i2.3808
Website
AfghanistanAnalystNetwork. (2020). Covid-19 in Afghanistan (7): The effects of the pandemic on the private lives and safety of women at home. AfghanistanAnalystNetwork. https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/economy-development-environment/covid-19-in-afghanistan-7-the-effects-of-the-pandemic-on-the-private-lives-and-safety-of-women-at-home/
Bahri, J. (2014). Western gender policies in Afghanistan: Failing women and provoking men. Gender, Technology and Development, 18(2), 163–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971852414529480
Barr, H. (2020). A crucial moment for women’s rights in Afghanistan. Human Right Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/05/crucial-moment-womens-rights-afghanistan
Baskin, J. (2008). ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ ΠΑΡΟΧΗΣ ΑΕΡΙΟΥ ΑΤΤΙΚΗΣ Page 1 of 2. March, 6–7.
Choudhury, S. (2016). Women and conflict in India. Women and Conflict in India, October, 1–162. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315731988
Cousins, S. (2020). A quiet crisis: As the economy fractures, violence soars for Afghan women. The New Humanitarian. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2020/12/16/Afghanistan-women-economy-gender-based-violence
Galtung, J. (n.d.). Violence, peace,.
Galtung, J. (1990). Cultural Violence. Journal of Peace Research, 27(3), 291–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343390027003005
Habiba, U., Ali, R., & Ashfaq, A. (2016). From Patriarchy to Neopatriarchy: Experiences of Women from Pakistan. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 6(3), 212–221.
Hossaini, K. (2020). Covid-19 in Afghanistan (7): The effects of the pandemic on the private lives and safety of women at home - Afghanistan Analysts Network - English. 7.
Kandiyoti, D. (2007). Old dilemmas or new challenges? The politics of gender and reconstruction in Afghanistan. Development and Change, 38(2), 169–199. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.2007.00408.x
Kandiyoti, D. (2018). Reconstruction & Women’s Rights in Afghanistan. April.
Mannell, J., Grewal, G., Ahmad, L., & Ahmad, A. (2021). A Qualitative Study of Women’s Lived Experiences of Conflict and Domestic Violence in Afghanistan. Violence Against Women, 27(11), 1862–1878. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801220935191
Martin, L., & Parto, S. (n.d.). On Shaky Grounds COVID-19 and Afghanistan’s Social, Political and Economic Capacities for Sustainable Peace.
Matilda Carlsson. (2016). Conflict-Related Sexual Violence--A Cross-National Comparison of Circumstances Related to State Forces ’ Use of Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict s. January 2016, 56. http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:897318/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Moghadam, V. M. (2002). Patriarchy, the Taleban, and politics of public space in Afghanistan. Women’s Studies International Forum, 25(1), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5395(02)00224-8
Mosse, J. C. (1993). Back matter - Half the World Half a Chance. Half the World, Half a Chance, 211–232. https://doi.org/10.3362/9780855987633.010
Nasimi, S. (2014). The devastating truth of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Open Democracy. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opensecurity/devastating-truth-of-womens-rights-in-afghanistan/
Network, A. A., & Kazemi, S. R. (2020). Covid-19 in {Afghanistan} (5): {Snapshots} of women’s living under coronavirus in and around {Herat} city. May.
Qazi Zada, S. (2021). Legislative, institutional and policy reforms to combat violence against women in Afghanistan. Indian Journal of International Law, 59(1–4), 257–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40901-020-00116-x
Samar, S. (2019). Feminism, Peace, and Afghanistan. Journal of International Affairs.
Stokes, S., Seritan, A. L., & Miller, E. (2016). Care Seeking Patterns Among Women Who Have Experienced Gender-Based Violence in Afghanistan. Violence Against Women, 22(7), 817–831. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801215616807
UN Women. (2020). COVID-19 and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. UN Women Headquarters, 10. https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2020/issue-brief-covid-19-and-ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-en.pdf?la=en&vs=5006
UNAMA & OHCHR. (2009). End the Abuse of Women in Afghanistan. July, 1–32. https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/vaw-english_1.pdf%0A
UNDP. (2020). Gender Based Violence and Covid-19. UNDP Brief, 6. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-empowerment/gender-based-violence-and-covid-19.html
Wylie, G. (2003). Women’s rights and ‘righteous war.’ 217–223.
Yoyo. (2018). Neo-patriarchy and the Problem of the Arab Crisis: A CritiCal study on Hisham Sharabi’s Works. Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies, 6(2), 251–267. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v6i2.3808
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
License
Journal of Islamic World and Politics is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license. You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Copyright
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
