To ensure workplaces and the education institutions are safe for women and marginalised communities, the Afghanistan Attorney General Office's General Directorate for Combating Harassment Against Women in Public and Private Institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Women for Justice Organization to work collaboratively to respond and address sexual harassment cases.
As a legal aid organisation with its mission focused on strengthening accountability in cases of sexual violence, WJO represents survivors in judicial and non-judicial proceedings before the courts, committees, ministries and other international bodies.
Co-Founder and Executive Director of WJO, Humaira Rasuli, who has represented dozens of survivors says: "Most of these cases never see the light of justice. There is no protection. Retaliation is rampant. Survivors are blamed and not supported."
Co-Founder and Legal Director of WJO, Natasha Latiff says: "The prohibition of sexual violence is only one aspect. You need the government to be committed to safe reporting, to repeal the evidentiary burden on survivors and prohibit sexual stereotyping. Procedures need to radically change to undo layers of barriers stacked against survivors."
WJO will work with prosecutors to fact-find and systematically investigate human rights abuses against survivors of sexual harassment. WJO will also provide technical assistance to the Directorate, conduct workshops for prosecutors and form a bridge between the Afghanistan government and the public.
Parwin Rahimi, the General Director of the Anti Harrsment Directorate of Attorney General's Office in Public and Private sectors praised the collaboration understanding that it is part of the critical response needed to address sexual harassment cases, serve justice to survivors, and raise people's awareness on sexual harassment laws.
"The AGO and WJO worked tirelessly together for justice to some of the most marginalised people I have ever come across. Sexual harassment is like corruption embedded in all of our social interactions. We have a long way to go but this is an important start," says Humaira Rasuli.