Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Afghanistan (Ratification: 1969)

Article 1(1)(b) of the Convention. Disability. The Committee recalls the Government’s previous indication that section 15 of the Law on Rights and Benefits of People with Disability provides for equal rights for persons with disabilities in terms of social, economic, political, cultural, educational, recreational and athletic participation in society. The Committee again asks the Government to forward a copy of the Law on Rights and Benefits of People with Disability and to provide information on measures taken in order to implement section 15 of the Law.

Equal access of men and women to vocational training and education. The Committee recalls that, under the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), the ILO provides technical assistance in a range of areas, including in vocational training, employment services and career guidance and counselling (Decent Work Country Programme 2010–15, page 8). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it continues to strengthen efforts to maximize access of women and girls to educational opportunities at all levels and to increase access to vocational training. The Government also indicates that in 2011–12, 3,245 women out of 27,019 enrolled persons in vocational training programmes, and there were 1,289 women out of 7,069 graduates, both of which showed an increase from the previous years. The Committee recalls that providing vocational guidance and taking active measures to promote access to education and training, free from considerations based on stereotypes and prejudices, is essential in broadening the range of occupations from which men and women are able to choose (see General Survey on fundamental Conventions, 2012, paragraph 750). The Committee asks the Government to step up its efforts to encourage girls’ and women’s access to education at all levels, and to enhance their participation in a wide range of training programmes, including those in which men have traditionally predominated. The Committee also asks the Government to continue to provide statistics on the number and percentage of trainees and graduates benefiting from vocational training programmes, and to provide information on the number of women and men enrolled in the various courses. Please provide information on any progress made with respect to the design and implementation of the affirmative action policy in education envisaged by the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) 2007–17.

Articles 2 and 3. Equality of opportunity and treatment of men and women. Public service. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in general terms that the gender units are active in the ministries, and that steps will be taken to enhance their capacities. It also notes the Government’s indication that there are 74,947 women out of 362,726 public employees. The Committee again asks the Government to provide further information on the role and activities of the gender units in the ministries, in particular how they promote equal opportunities for men and women within the public sector. The Committee also asks the Government to provide specific information on how the priority given to women in vacancies announced by the Civil Service Commission is reflected in women’s representation in the public service, including in management positions.

Private sector. The Committee asks the Government to provide specific information on any measures or programmes implemented under the NAPWA or the DWCP aimed at promoting women’s access to employment, and to self-employment.

Awareness raising. The Committee again asks the Government to provide the following information:

• (i) examples of the activities organized and materials distributed to raise awareness and promote the principles of the Convention; and
• (ii) specific information on the content of any training programme organized in order to raise awareness among government officials, workers, employers, judges and the number of participants, in relation to the Convention.

Statistics. The Committee recalls the Government’s intention to undertake the first nationwide Labour Force Survey and Labour Market Needs Survey in the beginning of 2012. It notes the Government’s indication that priority is given to the Labour Market Information and Analysis Unit and employment service centres to strengthen their capacities. It also notes that training on labour force statistics was provided with staff of the Central Statistics Organization in October 2012. The Committee again asks the Government to indicate the changes envisaged to the Labour Market Information and Analysis Unit and the employment service centres. The Committee hopes that the Government will be in a position to provide updated data on the employment of men and women both in the private and public sectors in the near future.