1. Traditional Dispute Resolution and Afghanistan's Women
- Author:
- Sylvana Q. Sinha
- Publication Date:
- 12-2011
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United States Institute of Peace
- Abstract:
- At least 80% of all disputes in Afghanistan are resolved through traditional dispute resolution (TDR) mechanisms, principally community councils called shuras or jirgas. TDR is therefore impossible to ignore as the primary justice institution in the country. Still, most women's groups in Afghanistan tend to oppose international donor or Afghan government support for TDR because they generally exclude women from participation and are known to issue decisions that violate women's rights. In the spring of 2011, the U.S. Institute of Peace in Kabul hosted meetings to examine the broader question of how women can gain greater access to justice. The outcome of the conversations was a more nuanced view of TDR and women in Afghanistan and a recognition that creative engagement rather than condemnation is a more productive approach to resolving deficiencies in women's rights in TDR venues.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Foreign Aid, and Law
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, United States, and Asia