KABUL – UNFPA Representative Laurent Zessler and Chief Commander Fazludin Ayar of the 202 Zone Police Headquarters inaugurate today a training for police officers on the prevention and response to cases of violence against women and girls.

"It is said that violence against women has been called the most pervasive yet least recognized human rights abuse in the world. Therefore, UNFPA puts every effort into breaking the silence, and ensuring that the voices are heard and necessary services are put in place to support women and girls. In this regard, the role of police officers is crucial, and in several cases, is the first entry point for the victims. The capacity building programme is part of a long term commitment to develop police officers’ skills to prevent and respond to cases of violence against women, and will contribute in creating an enabling environment for women and girls to live in dignity and with freedom from violence," said Zessler.

The training is a result of the long-standing partnership between UNFPA and the Ministry of Interior, and is conducted in cooperation with an Afghan NGO, the Humanitarian Assistance for Women and Children of Afghanistan (HAWCA). The training is based on the manual Police Taking Action on Violence against Women in Afghanistan, outlining techniques and procedures for effectively dealing with violence against women cases. Approved by the MoI in May 2011, all contents in the manual refer to national legislations and quotations from the Holy Quran and the Ahadith (teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH) – making it relevant, acceptable and usable in the local context.

The event gathered 25 police officers from Kabul and other provinces, who will be trained as trainers on prevention and response to cases of violence against women. Further trainings will also be conducted in Nangarhar, Bamyan and other provinces.

"This training is an important step for bringing justice to the lives of the Afghans. We must fight violence against women, not just as police personnel, but also as human beings," said Ayar.

Selay Ghaffar of HAWCA said, "Violence against women is a widespread calamity in Afghanistan which threatens the lives of most women, girls and even boys. Women organizations, such as HAWCA, and the government can be vital actors of change to the elimination of violence against women. To eradicate this catastrophe, initiatives like this training play an important role. Elimination of violence against women needs an all time commitment from all actors, particularly from the police and judiciary."

Afghanistan ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in March 2003, as well as other UN human rights treaties. UNFPA stands behind to support the government of Afghanistan for the full implementation of these human rights treaties in the country.

For more information, please contact: 
Gaia Chiti Strigelli, tel. +93 7 9000 5306, chitistrigelli@unfpa.org