My Host Organization, World Vision, recently conducted training in Afghanistan. For that reason, I was researching a bit more about Afghanistan to get a better idea about the context and also support the facilitators understand the context, a bit further. Based on that research, I wanted to inform everyone else about Afghanistan and its current socio-economic conditions.
It’s no surprise that Afghanistan and its people have lived with conflict for over 30 years. Instability in the country and the increased criminality that often comes with this, has not only threatened to kill or injure civilians; but also denied them access to essential services, from providing an income for their families, and to the ability to plan for their future. The Asia Foundation in has 2015 reported that 67.4% Afghani’s say they always, often, or sometimes fear for their own safety or security or that of their family – the highest in a decade. Below are a few statistics that I primarily gained through reading reports of UNDP, World Bank, OCHA, BAAG, Maplecroft, UNICEF reports, and the government of Afghanistan’s National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment:
- 40-59% of the population live on less than $2 a day.
- According UNDP’s Human Development Report 2015, Afghanistan ranks 171st out of 188
- Infant mortality is the highest in the region (74/1000 live births).
- One in five children born in Afghanistan will not survive to their 5th Major causes: 29% diarrhea and 26% pneumonia.
- An estimated four million children of primary school age do not attend classes. Even for students who attend classes, the level and quality of education remain low and achievement remains unsatisfactory, especially in the early grades
- In rural areas, 90% of women cannot read or
- On July 23rd, Kabul was afflicted by the deadliest suicide attack since 2001 which killed at least 80 civilians and wounded 231. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
- In 2016, UNCHR reported 335,400 individuals/ 52.350 families have been forced to leave their places of origin. Also, 31 out of the 34 Afghan provinces have hosted and generated conflict-induced displacement.
- UNDP ranks Afghanistan 152 out of 188 countries within the gender Inequality Index
- An estimated one in three Afghan women experience physical, psychological or sexual 92% of women believe men are justified in using physical violence against them for any reason whatsoever.
- The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and UNIFEM estimate that 57% of girls are married before the legal age of The AIHRC estimates that 60-80% of all marriages are forced.Image Credits: Khaama Press
