CONTENT TABLE

1. WELCOME LETTER

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMITTEE

2.1. Breve description
2.2. Committee History
2.3. Working areas
2.4. Committee goals

3. ABOUT THE AGENDA

3.1. Introduction of the topic
3.2. History of the topic
3.3. Actual Situation
3.4. Challenges for the committee

4. STUDY CASE

5. QARMAS

6. LIST OF DELEGATIONS

7. GLOSSARY

8. REFERENCES

1. WELCOME LETTER

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 Distinguished delegates and members of this committee, we would like to welcome
you to CSMUN.

“We watch in complete shock as the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan. I am deeply worried about
women, minorities and human rights advocates. Global, regional and local powers must call for an
immediate ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian aid and protect refugees and civilians.” - Malala
August 15, 2021.

For us, Valentina López Orozco and Isabel Escobar Mejía, it is a huge pleasure and a
great honor to be able to accompany you as your presidents being part of the UN WOMEN
Commission which will handle the topic of the oppressive situation towards women in
Afghanistan.We are sure of your capacities, commitment, and dedication, and we are
entrusted by your desire to learn and contribute to the development of a better society from
your perspective and your way to take action as citizens of this world. As your presidents, we
are looking forward to a committee with excellent quality, generating a pleasant and friendly
environment for all the participants during the debate. As well, we hope that each one of you
will present opinions and arguments that demonstrate your commitment, self-demand, and
previous preparation, thus generating a space of enriching learning for both you and us. Last
but not least, we want to provide our support and availability for any doubt or eventuality that
may arise within the time of debate and reiterate our compromise as presidents, which
guarantees you an enjoyable experience full of lessons for your life.

We thank you for being part of this commission. We hope that this commission will
develop in the best way possible and that the debate will be respectful and fair.

Receive a warm welcome to CSMUN XI.

Valentina López and Isabel Escobar.

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMITTEE

2.1. Description

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 In July 2010, at the United Nations General Assembly, UN Women was
created. UN Women is a United Nations entity that seeks gender equality and the
empowerment of women. It is a support network for all those women who have been
violated or affected in some area of their lives because of gender inequality.
Historically, women’s rights have been violated and gender inequality affects women
more according to statistics. Gender disillusionment is a widespread phenomenon in
which women lack access to decent employment and face gender-based wage
differentials. Women and girls around the world are systematically denied access to
education and health care, are underrepresented in economic and political decision-
making and are victims of violence and discrimination. This is why the creation of
this identity was a historic step in the fulfillment of the goal of defending the equality
and rights of women. UN Women was established to defend the rights of women and
girls and to accelerate progress towards improving the lives of women and to respond
to the needs they face globally.

2.2 Committee History

In February 1947, the Commission on the Status of Women met for the first
time in Lake Success, New York. From its inception, the Commission was supported
by a unit of the United Nations that would later become the Division for the
Advancement of Women. The Commission on the Status of Women forged a close
relationship with non-governmental organizations for its benefit.

Between 1947 and 1962, the Commission focused on establishing norms and
international conventions that would change discriminatory laws against women and
increase awareness and sensitization on women's issues. In 1953, the Commission
drafted the International Convention on Women's Rights, in particular the Convention
on the Political Rights of Women, which was the first instrument of international law
to recognize and protect women's rights.
In 1957, the commission drafted international marriage conventions such as
the Convention on the Nationality of Married Women 1957 and the Convention on
Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages
1962. This commission made a great contribution to the drafting of the Universal

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Declaration of Human Rights by incorporating more inclusive language and changing
the reference to "men" as a synonym for humanity. In 1963, the General Assembly of
the United Nations requested the commission to make a declaration on the elimination
of discrimination against women, which was approved in 1967.

In 1972, it was the 25th anniversary of its creation. Therefore, the commission
recommended that 1975 be declared the International Women's Year with the
objective of promoting equality between women and men. This year was also marked
by the celebration of the first world conference on women held in Mexico City. In
1987 the third world conference on women was held in Nairobi, where the leadership
that the united nations should take in economic and social issues for the
empowerment of women was discussed. New United Nations offices dedicated to
women were created, such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women
(UNIFEM) and the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement
of Women (INSTRAW).

UN Women was established and created by a resolution of the United Nations

General Assembly on July 2, 2010 and became operational in 2011. The entity merges
and builds on four components of the UN system: The Division for the Advancement
of Women (DAW); the International Research and Training Institute for the
Advancement of Women (INSTRAW); the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender
Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI), and the United Nations Development
Fund for Women (UNIFEM). In September 2010, the president and head of the
identity, Chilean politician Michelle Bachelet, was appointed to the presidency.

Today, in 2021, UN Women continues to develop programmes, support

progress towards gender equality, and implement policies and standards to ensure
women’s rights. Supporting women in areas such as political participation, economic
empowerment, ending gender-based violence, ensuring women’s human and
reproductive rights, among many other things and areas.

2.3 Working areas

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 Un Women is ensuring the safety and fulfillment of women's rights in
Afghanistan. It hopes to provide the best solution through well-informed research and
critical and consistent debate. The debate is expected to be conducted in the best
possible manner with moral and respectful argumentation. When the commission
finds itself in crisis, it will proceed to expedite the processes to provide solutions to
the crisis. This commission is made up of nations that are involved in the situation in
Afghanistan as well as nations that are part of the Un Women organization. Each
nation will begin by giving their vision and/or opinion about the situation in the
country, how this situation affects or contributes to their nation and then proceed to
give solutions to help the women of the country. This committee will follow all
parliamentary procedures as well as use the general parliamentary language of the
Model United Nations.

2.4 Committee goals

Un Women aims to promote gender equality, women's empowerment,

advocate for and address the needs of women around the world by working with
governments and civil society to create laws, programs and strategies to achieve these
goals. The objective within this commission is to search for feasible solutions and
strategies to solve the problems faced by women in Afghanistan. Our goal is to give
all the support we can to help vulnerable women out of this situation.

In 2015, the new agenda for 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) was proposed, with a total of 17 goals that are expected to be achieved in
order to end poverty, end hunger, promote economic prosperity, education,
environmental protection and others.

A Women has a focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by

the number five of the agenda, gender equality. Its goals are to end discrimination and
violence against women, participation in politics, access to reproductive education
and eliminate harmful practices.

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 Unfortunately, situations such as the pandemic have increased violence and gender
discrimination. However, today we are struggling to achieve these goals, in some we
have made great progress and in others we need to put more effort to achieve them.

3. ABOUT THE AGENDA

3.1 Introduction to the topic

Since last year, the tension in Afghanistan has been escalating quickly due to the
imposition of the Taliban insurgent group, which not only have strong military power, but
also very conservative ideas and traditions, that nowadays may be controversial in the
perspective of the human rights and mainly, in the ones that directly affect the woman.

Countries located in the middle east normally have religious and social features that,
in many cases violate the principles established in the western world, but this problem will
only tend to increase, new measurements as banning women from studying and working, or
also revoking other rights in the matter of expression and participation in the development of
the territory. On the other hand, Taliban’s have stated to be inclusive and that they will
respect the human rights of the people, so the real future of the country and woman is
unclear.

Nowadays the participation of woman in the government is almost null, this can be
shown for example, when in the last year Taliban established their new cabinet of ministers in
which there isn’t any woman participating in any charge, and some important charges such as
the woman affairs ministry was abolished, giving the girls around the country more reasons
to protest.

The Taliban has intervened in some of this protest that are stronger and louder each
time, but no certain measure has been taken by them, there are witnesses of aggressions and
abuses from the new authorities, and, while people in the country is uneasy and afraid, the
international community stays tuned for what may happen, but something should be done to
avoid potential hazards to the women.

3.2 History of the topic

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 At the end of the XIX century and beginnings of the XX a progressist movement
started forming, and, since then woman have been moving in order to grant their rights,
reaching the main political structures of the country, which, with the arrival of king
Amanullah khan was empowered, new laws, in the period of 1919-1929 were being created
to “modernize” the Muslim religion and bring it to an actual context where gender wasn’t a
decisive factor for the life, capabilities, or rights, these statements were very controversial.

with the arrival of a new communist and progressivist government in the year of 1973
the measurements were becoming a reality, with the new left government, 200 years of
monarchy ceased, and a new Afghanistan was born, a republic where rights for women were
taken in real consideration and new laws and rules were being applied giving people, and
most of all, women, new hope and vision to an equal future.

The problem was that giving the fact that religion wasn’t very open with the new
characteristics established for a woman, and, due to miscommunication and the difficulty to
propagate the information the movement never reached the whole country, leading to a big
breach in the process of gender equality.

In addition to that, when the Taliban first took off the country, in the year of 1996
almost immediately, suppressing measurements were applied, leading to one of the worst
sceneries women have ever lived in the country. rights like education and work were
suspended and the fact that women could only go out with a male familiar or companion,
created even more resentment.

The period of the Anglo Afghan conflict was in its highest point, leading to almost 25
years where the power has been disputed between the American forces and the insurgent
group, but nowadays where the U.S has retired from the territory and the Taliban resumed
control, it is feared that a new terror era begins.

Since now, Taliban has stated that due to the security crisis women are not allowed to
study or work, but once it ends, they state it would be possible for them to start again with
their academic and labor activities.

3.3 Actual Situation

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 As the environment within Afghanistan is volatile with the return from the Taliban
there has been a lack regarding women’s rights and freedom, leading NGO’s and other
organizations that have the purpose of helping women and their empowerment decrease with
the options of providing help.

Nevertheless the 2004 constitution contributes for women recognition on socio-

political aspects:
Article 83 of the Constitution reserves 27% of seats in the lower house of the bicameral
Parliament (Wolesi Jirga) for Afghan women with the intent of electing two women from
each province into the lower house. Similarly, Article 84 guarantees women 50% of the seats
in the upper house (Meshrano Jirga). During the 2014 elections, these provisions translated to
64 seats for female representatives out of a possible 249 seats in the lower house and 17 seats

for female representatives out of a total of 34 seats in the upper house. (Concerns, n.d.)

Yet, the international community and Afghan women are waiting for Taliban actions and
further decisions regarding their rights and job opportunities within those upper positions.

Moreover, as the Islamic Law is highly important for the Taliban, women entitlements
are still under uncertainty. Miserably there have been plenty inconsistencies regarding how
the Taliban will act regarding women, as in some interviews they mention that they will
provide a better future for them, yet the actions take on the afghan territory are proving
otherwise, as it was mentioned I the Human Rights Watch by Heather Barr “Local
commanders have, in recent months and years, sometimes taken actions, such as closing
girls’ schools entirely, even for primary-school age girls.” (Barr, n.d.)

Likewise, afghan women nowadays live with the fear of being discriminated or treated the
way they were years before, as punishments such as amputations, lashing and stoning were
applied if they didn’t follow the Islamic Law or were escorted by a male family member.

Nevertheless, Afghanistan’s neighboring countries and international organizations

have been trying to enforce the compliance of women’s rights. The United Nations Security
Council, the International Criminal Court and the United Nations Mission Assistance to
Afghanistan have the purpose to provide aid to those in need and that have lack of resources
to improve the opportunities within the country.

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 Yet, the situation is not only by part of the government, but afghan families are raised
in a way that husbands mistreat their wives and act as their representative guardians, meaning
that they take decisions for their wife, sometimes leading them not to allow them to have the
same opportunities as they have by being the representative man of the family. Moreover,
some reports show these abuses, as it is shown I the following sentences: “Instead of
economic, social, and political empowerment, Afghan women in rural areas—where an
estimated 76 percent of the country’s women live—experience the devastation of bloody and
intensifying fighting between the Taliban and government forces and local militias.” (Felbab-
Brown, 2020)

3.4 Challenges for the committee

We as presidents are looking forward for the constant participation of all the delegates
that are in the session. Moreover, it is fundamental to consider that the debate must include
the importance of women regarding all the aspects that are needed for a country to develop.

Yet, as the topic emphasizes on women from Afghanistan, you as representation of

the international community will need to take the perspective of your delegation regarding
the topic and contribute to the committee as a solution for the devastating situation for
women. Likewise, consider economic, social, and political positions so that all the
delegations understand and can apply your proposals, finding a viable solution for the
committee.

We are aware that this will be challenging but we trust you as delegates with everything that
you have in mind to help the international community. Also, we are always available
whenever you need our help, as our intention is to help you and improve the debate session.

4. STUDY CASE

Married life is not regulated in the articles of criminal regulations of the republic of
Uganda, women see their rights violated due to various discrimination, physical and
emotional violence, etc. within their own home. The government and the entities in charge
usually do not take actions to avoid or to make justice in these cases.

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 People who report sexual violence acts in Uganda (specially women) face obstacles to
obtaining justice: the shortage of police stations means that there are often no police officers
to report to: police presence is almost non-existent in some areas. Police officers are often
reluctant to investigate cases involving soldiers or violence within the family, as the law does
not recognize marital rape as a crime. Additionally, the costs associated with police
procedures can discourage survivors from pursuing a case.

Victims are often asked to pay costs associated with their case such as medical
expenses, to provide food to the police during the investigation, or to feed the suspect while
in custody. The courts are barely suited to the task and must handle an overwhelming number
of cases, so that only a very small number of cases are successfully concluded.

5. QARMAS

● What is your nation’s stance on the situation?

● Is your nation related to or within the Un Women organization? What is your
nation's relationship to the organization?
● Clearly women's rights have been taken away by the Taliban. Our goal is to be
able to provide as much help as possible to the women of the country. What
are your nation's proposals or strategies for this situation?
● Do a research if your country can intervene and what kind of help it can
provide, be it economic, political or social.

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● Bearing in mind that the biggest obstacle to achieve our objective is the
political context where the Taliban are in power.Does your nation consider
that violence or war would be an option to get women out of this situation?

6. LIST OF DELEGATIONS

● Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

● Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
● Islamic Republic of Iran.
● United States of America.
● Dominion of Canada.
● The Commonwealth of Australia.
● People's Republic of China.
● Russian Federation.
● The state of Palestine.
● Republic of South Africa.
● Republic of India.

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● Republic of Albania.
● United Mexican States.
● The Republic of Chile.
● Japan
● United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
● The Kingdom of Spain.
● Italian Republic.
● Federal Republic of Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
● The Kingdom of Netherlands.
● Kingdom of Sweden Konungariket.
● The United Arab Emirates.
● The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

7. GLOSSARY

● Taliban: They are a politico-religious movement and deobandi

Islamist military organization from Afghanistan, who ruled the Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan.
● Islamism: It is a heterogeneous set of political movements whose
ideology and political program consists essentially of adapting political
life to the religious mandates of Islam.
● Islam: It is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the Koran.
● Anglo-Afghan War: Also called Afghan Wars, three conflicts (1839–
42; 1878–80; 1919).

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 ● Systemic violence: It is defined as a pattern of aggression and hostility
pervasive in society that is maintained by dysfunctional individual
beliefs.
● Gender inequality: It is a social construct in which discrimination
between people occurs on the basis of their sex, where sexual
differences become hierarchical inequalities.
● Gender violence: It is a type of physical, psychological, sexual and
institutional violence, exercised against people because of their gender.
● Oppression: It is the act of oppressing, suffocating, pressuring,
subduing, either a person, an attitude or a community.
● Human rights: These are fundamental rights that all humans have by
virtue of the fact that they exist.
● Women's rights: It refers to the distinction of rights that are
recognized for women and girls in different societies around the world.
● Reproductive rights: They are those rights that seek to protect the
freedom and autonomy of all persons to decide responsibly on their
reproductive life.

8. REFERENCES

ONU Mujeres Inicia su Labor. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.unwomen.org/es/news/stories/2011/1/un-women-begins-its-work
UN Women. (2022, January 08). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Women
Un poco de historia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/es/csw/brief-
history
Página de inicio de ONU Mujeres. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.unwomen.org/es

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 The Situation of Women in Afghanistan. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.genderconcerns.org/country-in-focus/afghanistan/the-situation-of-women-in-
afghanistan
The Fragility of Women's Rights in Afghanistan. (2021, August 17). Retrieved from
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/08/17/fragility-womens-rights-afghanistan
Noticias. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.lasalle.edu.co/Noticias/UnisalleNoticias/uls/Que-esta-pasando-con-las-mujeres-
en-Afganistan
Afghanaid. (n.d.). Support Afghan women. Retrieved from
https://www.afghanaid.org.uk/appeal/support-women-in-afghanistan?
gclid=Cj0KCQiAw9qOBhC-ARIsAG-rdn7R0QiXWf9E_b8yOX-
VEE7hVp2No06rchqcXVABHpT3orahWsJq8KkaAk7tEALw_wcB
Briefing notes on Afghanistan. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?
NewsID=27388&LangID=E&gclid=Cj0KCQiAw9qOBhC-ARIsAG-
rdn4FLtsot3RYgD8TrwvkqX2cw6i-t8Q7ZoC4ZHflKQVIsHjFWbGf5q4aAgrIEALw_wcB

Afganistán: Cómo era la vida para las mujeres antes de la primera llegada del Talibán.
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-58377557

Guerra de Afganistán (2001-2021). (2022, January 05). Retrieved from

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerra_de_Afganistán_(2001-2021)

Igualdad de género y empoderamiento de la mujer - Desarrollo Sostenible. (n.d.).

Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/gender-equality/

La Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.unwomen.org/es/what-we-do/2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development

Shāh Shojāʿ. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shah-

Shoja

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