The organization: Medica Afghanistan
Medica Afghanistan was one of the largest points of contact for women affected by violence in Afghanistan. Across the country, Medica Afghanistan offered support such as:
- psychosocial counselling
- legal representation
- family mediation
- support for imprisoned women – during their sentence and with reintegration upon release
Furthermore, Medica Afghanistan also campaigned politically for women’s rights. The activists lobbied for changes to the law and for their implementation. Specialists trained police workers and politicians, doctors and prison staff in women’s rights and a trauma-sensitive approach to dealing with survivors of sexualised violence.
The history of Medica Afghanistan
Opening of Afghan office of medica mondiale
Start of legal and psychosocial support for imprisoned women in Kabul and Herat
Advocates for women's rights: Establishment of the two programs Advocacy and Legal Aid. At the time it was a new development to have women represent women in court.
The EVAW Law comes into effect. It is the first law to recognise 22 types of violence against women – including rape, forced marriage, and family violence – as a statutory offence. Medica Afghanistan had worked for years on this.
Medica Afghanistan becomes an independent national organization.
Increase in advocacy work against the so-called ‘virginity tests’. In 2017, these painful forced gynaecological examinations are banned – at least, in cases where the woman does not consent and there is no court order.
Medica Afghanistan campaigns to introduce compensation payments for survivors of sexualised and family violence.
Feminist family counselling starts: Family members take part in 1-to-1 and group dialogue to consider specific family conflicts, gender roles, and the destructive effects of violence. The process always focusses on the needs of the women affected.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Medica Afghanistan has to adapt its way of working for most activities. Telephone and digital counselling make it possible for women throughout the country to receive psychosocial support.
2021 Evacuation of Medica Afghanistan staff to Germany
Resumption and re-alignment of project work by medica mondiale in Afghanistan
Support from Germany
From Germany, medica mondiale supports the work of the female activists in Afghanistan. In addition to the provision of funding, the organisation continues to ensure that the issue of “Women’s rights in Afghanistan” is part of the political agenda in Germany. The team writes position papers, increases its networking efforts, and initiates dialogues with Members of Parliament, as well as representatives of the German Foreign Office (AA) and Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). At conferences and Parliamentary Breakfasts, the female activists from Afghanistan in person talk directly to politicians and the media.
