Mobilising students to discern and report sexual harassment

In November 2020, we conducted a 4-day workshop for 20 students from 19 faculties of the Kabul University on sexual harassment. Most of the students were not aware of how to assert their rights, who they can report to and how.

During the workshop, we explained to the students the concept of sexual harassment and their rights under the Anti-Harassment Law. We also taught them skills on how to deflect violence and harassment and safely report the incidents to responsible persons and bodies.

On the final day of the workshop, we invited Afghanistan Attorney General Office's General Directorate for Combating Harassment Against Women in the Public and Private sector. Zarghona Sediqi, Head of Criminal investigation Directorate and Mr. Ahmad Jawad Karimi, a prosecutor in at the Directorate attended the workshop and also presented their role, functions and commitment to end sexual harassment.

"It was the first time for students to meet with prosecutors and ask them questions. That meeting put a face to the prosecution - and an empathetic one at that. The Attorney General's Office initiative and willingness is an important indicator of good governance, respect for human rights, and rule of law," says Humaira Rasuli, who led the workshops.

WJO will continue to work with the Gender Unit of Kabul University through awareness campaigns and capacity building to empower and mobilise students against sexual harassment and other forms of violence in higher education.