FBA's work with Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been in conflict for more than 40 years. The country is among the poorest in the world, and the humanitarian crisis has deepened since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The situation for women and girls is particularly vulnerable.
The prolonged conflict has profound consequences for a population in which more than 70 percent are too young to have ever experienced a peaceful Afghanistan. Although education levels have improved over time, literacy rates remain among the lowest in the world.
During the twenty-year U.S.-led military presence in Afghanistan, institutions for democracy, human rights and the rule of law were partly strengthened. However, since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, these gains are at risk of being lost.
Many key public officials have fled the country, state capacity to deliver basic services is weak, and more than 90 percent of households lack sufficient food. In addition, there are more than three million internally displaced people.
The situation of Afghan women and girls has long been particularly difficult, marked by systematic discrimination, violations and limited opportunities to make their own life choices. Their access to education is worse than that of men, and only one in four Afghan women can read and write.
The Taliban have further increased discrimination against women and girls and restricted their freedom of expression.
FBA’s work
FBA serves as the secretariat for a major forum of Afghan women leaders, aimed at enabling Afghan women to represent themselves in discussions and dialogues about the country’s future, women’s rights and the situation of Afghan women.
FBA also cooperates with several other civil society organisations and representatives to promote strategic thinking and to develop strategies for both long-term survival and influence over the country’s development.
The aim is to strengthen the capacity of civil society – particularly women and women’s rights organisations – to promote and participate in inclusive dialogues on governance, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Scholarship for women, peace and security
FBA was tasked by the Swedish Government in 2020 with establishing a scholarship to increase knowledge about UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The scholarship was created in memory of peacebuilder Zaida Catalán, who had served as a gender expert for FBA in several international peace operations. Its purpose is to highlight young peacebuilders engaged in issues related to women’s participation in conflict resolution.
Due to the security situation in Afghanistan, FBA has instead appointed the human rights organisation and think tank Bytes for All (B4A) in Islamabad, Pakistan, as the host of the scholarship.
Scholarship in support of women, peace and security in memory of Zaida Catalán
Phasing out the mission
FBA’s mandate in Afghanistan will conclude at the turn of the year 2025–2026, following a decision by the Government of Sweden. During the remainder of 2025, FBA will focus on phasing out its operations.