Making Visible The Afghan Men Who Are Working For Women's Rights And A Gender-Just Society

Analyses of women's rights and gender equality in Afghanistan have historically depicted a clear binary: patriarchal and conservative men resisting aspirational women. Neglected in these analyses are the many men who have spoken up for women's rights and have worked for a gender-just society in Afghanistan. For instance, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) in Afghanistan has had as many as 10,000 active members, out of which, at times, nearly 3,000 have been men. These figures may come as a surprise for those used to monolithic depictions of predictably patriarchal Afghan men. The cognitive double-take these numbers often elicit reflects the limited space in international coverage given to the Afghan men who, while keeping a low profile, work alongside women activists for gender equality in the country. The report jointly developed by WILPF and swisspeace shares the life histories, motivations, and rationales of men and women who have worked together to advance women's rights and feminist peace in Afghanistan