After decades of conflict, Afghanistan remains a country in crisis.  More than half of the population lives below the poverty line. (1) Afghanistan faces major shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, access to medical care and food. Rape (both within and outside of marriage), forced marriage, prostitution, gender-based violence, and bonded labor are all common. Women and children with disabilities are often denied their most basic rights. 

This combination of realities has created an environment where the exploitation and trafficking of women and children is widespread. (2)

Women and Children are often the most severely affected in conflict situations. Hagar's focus in Afghanistan is the protection and rehabilitation of abused and exploited women and children.

In May 2008, Hagar Afghanistan was established as Hagar International's first step outside Cambodia.  By July 2008, Hagar Afghanistan was fully registered with the government.  Next steps included assembling a small staff, assessing gaps in services, and identifying potential partnerships.  In spring 2009, Hagar Afghanistan entered a partnership with IOM (International Organization for Migration).  Together, we are providing much-needed shelter services to women and children who have been trafficked to other countries and returned.

A challenge before us is to adapt Hagar's model of social enterprise to the Afghan context.  Upon recovery, women need to have a means to support themselves, ensuring long-term economic sustainability.  We will seek to empower women in culturally acceptable ways.

As is the case in every country where Hagar works, staff members are guided by the biblical story of Hagar, asking, "Who has been cast out? Who is without hope? Whose cries are not being heard?" There are many, many Hagars in Afghanistan. 

As our work in Afghanistan expands in response to needs and availability of resources, more and more women and children will begin living in the incredible freedom of the biblical Hagar.

1 The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency. 2 Trafficking in Persons in Afghanistan, Field Survey Report, IOM, 2008.

Hagar Afghanistan programmes are implemented and evaluated based on their effectiveness and impact in protecting, restoring, and empowering individual women and children.  Hagar respects the right of each individual to their own religious beliefs and in accordance with the Law in Afghanistan, does not engage in proselytising.