Disability In Afghanistan: Navigating A World Of Challenges And Resilience

Afghanistan has one of the world's largest per capita populations of people with disabilities. Decades of war have resulted in a significant number of Afghans with amputated limbs, mobility issues, visual or hearing disabilities, and psychosocial disabilities (mental health conditions). Despite the existence of laws and policies that promote the integration of people with disabilities into public and social life, and prohibit discrimination, people with disabilities in Afghanistan face significant obstacles and discrimination in accessing education, employment, and healthcare.

Afghanistan's ongoing conflict and political instability have hindered efforts to address the needs of people with disabilities. The country's infrastructure, including transportation systems and public buildings, often lack accessibility features such as ramps and elevators, making it difficult for people with disabilities to navigate.

Furthermore, Afghanistan's disabled population faces challenges in obtaining assistive devices, with half of Afghans surveyed being unaware of the existence of such devices. Women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, facing intersecting forms of discrimination and additional barriers to accessing their basic rights.

Discrimination and barriers faced by women and girls with disabilities in Afghanistan

• Women and girls with disabilities in Afghanistan face discrimination, sexual harassment, and barriers to accessing basic rights.
• They are denied access to government assistance, healthcare, and schools, which are protected by the Afghan constitution and international human rights law.
• Women and girls with disabilities face discrimination and stigma in obtaining government services, with women and girls being the "invisible" victims of this abuse.
• Women with disabilities face intersecting forms of discrimination in a society where gender bias and violence against women are endemic.
• Women with disabilities are generally seen as unfit for marriage and are considered a burden on their families.
• Women with disabilities face enormous obstacles in finding employment.
• Women with disabilities who have sought government assistance or employment are at an increased risk of sexual harassment within government institutions.
• Girls with disabilities often lose out on education entirely due to a lack of adequate transportation and medical care.
• Families who have children with disabilities incur additional costs for treatment, and even minor costs can make treatment unaffordable.
• Women and girls with disabilities face particular barriers to their rights, as gender discrimination and discrimination against persons with disabilities intersect.
• Women and girls with disabilities are frequently socially isolated, humiliated in public or within their own families, and denied access to public spaces and community or family social events.
• Women with disabilities are often seen as a burden on their families and are at an increased risk of violence both in and out of the home.
• Women with disabilities face challenges in navigating public spaces in Afghanistan, and these difficulties are compounded if they have a disability.
• Women with disabilities are less likely to receive assistance due to inadequate health services, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these issues.

The definition of disability in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, a person is considered disabled if they experience any form of constraint due to an impairment. This definition is based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) international classification of impairments, disabilities, mental disabilities, and handicaps. According to the WHO, an impairment is defined as an irregularity in the body's functioning caused by any type of trauma or disease. A disability is defined as a limitation on one's capacity to execute tasks due to an impairment, and a handicap is defined as the social disadvantage resulting from a disability.

Afghanistan has one of the world's largest populations per capita of people with disabilities. This is due to several factors, including decades of war, political instability, and poor economic conditions. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a high number of amputations, vision and hearing problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder among the Afghan population.

The Afghan government has made some efforts to address the needs of people with disabilities. In 2012, Afghanistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and in 2013, it adopted the Law on Rights and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities. However, there has been limited progress in implementing these policies, and assistance for Afghans with disabilities has never been a high priority for the government or donors.

The National Law of Rights and Benefits of People with Disabilities provides economic, social, political, cultural, educational, and rehabilitation support for people with disabilities. It also promotes their active participation in society and prohibits discrimination between Afghan citizens. Additionally, the 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan promotes the integration of people with disabilities into public and social life.

Despite these legal protections, people with disabilities in Afghanistan still face significant challenges and discrimination in accessing education, employment, and healthcare. They also face social stigma and are often considered a burden on their families. Efforts to improve accessibility in public buildings and transportation systems have been limited, and there is a lack of assistive devices and awareness about their existence.

Overall, while Afghanistan has made some progress in recognizing and protecting the rights of people with disabilities, there is still much work to be done to ensure their full inclusion and participation in society.

The National Law of Rights and Benefits of People with Disabilities

Afghanistan has one of the world's largest populations per capita of people with disabilities. The National Law of Rights and Benefits of People with Disabilities was enacted to provide economic, social, political, cultural, educational, and rehabilitative support to disabled women, men, and children. The law also protects their rights and promotes their active participation in society. Here are some key aspects of the law:

Education:

The law emphasizes the right to education for children with disabilities and seeks to establish a comprehensive education system that includes basic, higher, and professional or technical training. However, there is a lack of inclusive education in regular schools, and specialized schools are very limited. Distance, lack of transportation, and absence of assistants are significant barriers for children with disabilities.

Employment:

The law reserves 3% of jobs in the government and private sector for people with disabilities. However, this provision is often not enforced, and discrimination in employment remains prevalent. Organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and some NGOs have adopted policies to hire people with disabilities to counter societal biases.

Health Care:

The law guarantees the right to health care for people with disabilities. However, access to health care facilities and services remains a challenge, especially in rural areas. Physical rehabilitation services are not available in all provinces, and patients must travel long distances. There is also a lack of trained personnel and technical expertise to effectively serve people with disabilities, particularly among female health workers.

Social Protection:

The law provides for financial aid to people with disabilities, with varying amounts depending on the degree of disability. However, there is a distinction in the level of support between those with war-related disabilities and those with non-war-related disabilities. Those with war-related disabilities receive more consistent assistance, while support for those with non-war-related disabilities is irregular and dependent on connections within the government ministry.

Accessibility:

The law promotes the integration of people with disabilities into public and social life. However, there is a lack of accessibility in public buildings, transportation systems, and urban infrastructure. Most public buildings lack ramps, elevators, and wheelchair-accessible toilets, hindering the ability of people with disabilities to access these spaces independently.

Non-discrimination:

The law prohibits any form of discrimination between Afghan citizens. Despite this, people with disabilities, especially women and girls, face significant discrimination, social isolation, and stigma. They are often seen as a burden on their families and are at increased risk of violence and sexual harassment. Girls with disabilities are often denied education, and women with disabilities face greater obstacles in finding employment.

While The National Law of Rights and Benefits of People with Disabilities provides a framework for supporting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities in Afghanistan, full implementation and addressing of societal biases remain ongoing challenges.

The impact of war on disability in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has one of the world's largest populations per capita of people with disabilities. Decades of war have left more than a million Afghans with amputated limbs, mobility issues, visual or hearing disabilities, and psychosocial disabilities (mental health conditions) such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.

The war has also hindered the government's ability to address the needs of people with disabilities. Political instability, terrorism, and poor economic conditions have left the country with a large population of people with disabilities. War and insecurity have also disrupted efforts to deliver services, particularly outside urban areas.

People with disabilities in Afghanistan face challenges in accessing education, employment, and healthcare, which are rights guaranteed under the Afghan constitution and international human rights law. The lack of accessible infrastructure, such as ramps and elevators in public buildings, and transportation systems that accommodate people with disabilities, further exacerbate these challenges.

The war has also had a disproportionate impact on women and girls with disabilities, who face intersecting forms of discrimination and are often seen as a burden on their families. They face greater challenges in obtaining education, employment, and healthcare, and are at an increased risk of violence and sexual harassment.

Overall, the impact of war on disability in Afghanistan has been devastating, with a high number of individuals living with disabilities and facing significant challenges in accessing their basic rights and needs.

The stigma of disability in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has one of the world's largest per capita populations of people with disabilities. This is due to several factors, including violent changes in power, long periods of contested government, endemic poverty, widespread lawlessness, insecurity, and hostilities. The ongoing war situation has been a leading factor in this.

People with disabilities in Afghanistan face significant obstacles in their daily lives. They are often unable to access public buildings and transportation due to a lack of ramps, elevators, and accessible toilets. This isolation is further exacerbated by cultural barriers that make it difficult for women to navigate public spaces, especially those with disabilities. The stigma associated with disabilities also deters many, especially women, from speaking about their situation outside their immediate family.

The lack of accessible infrastructure and the prevalence of discriminatory attitudes towards individuals with disabilities in Afghanistan contribute to a culture of stigmatization. This stigma can lead to individuals with disabilities being humiliated in public or within their families and being considered a source of shame. They are often denied access to public spaces and community or family social events.

Women and girls with disabilities in Afghanistan face intersecting forms of discrimination and stigma due to both their gender and their disability. They are often seen as unfit for marriage and a burden on their families. Girls with disabilities may be prevented from attending school by their families due to shame. Women with disabilities seeking government assistance or employment are at an increased risk of sexual harassment within government institutions.

The stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities in Afghanistan have profound impacts on their lives, affecting their access to education, employment, healthcare, and social participation. It is essential to address these issues through awareness campaigns, policy changes, and the development of supportive services to ensure the inclusion and well-being of individuals with disabilities in Afghanistan.

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