For several years, I held the position of head of recruitment for women in the Afghan National Police, a role I maintained until the Taliban regained control in 2021. The focus on building the Afghan police force and encouraging female participation was seen as a remarkable achievement following the events of 2001. However, I was aware of a disturbing reality within the police force.
In my role, I supervised approximately 35 female police officers, all of whom faced coercion to engage in se*xual relations with male officers as a condition for their employment or advancement. Daily se*xual harassment was a common experience within their stations.
A former Afghan police recruiter sheds light on the struggles faced by female officers in a patriarchal system
Some endured molestation, while others were victims of rape. My status as a prominent advocate for women’s rights helped me escape the worst of these circumstances, as many men were wary of my influence.
At that time, nations like the U.S. and Germany were actively working to increase the number of women in the Afghan police force for a vital reason. Violence against women had been a pervasive issue in Afghanistan, often occurring within domestic settings.
Women were typically reluctant to report such incidents, particularly to male authorities. The introduction of female officers marked a shift, enabling women to voice their complaints to other women. This approach made a difference in how cases were addressed.
Additionally, with legal reforms in place, there was genuine progress in the investigation and prosecution of violence against women. Numerous donors funded training initiatives aimed at recruiting female police officers, with the original goal of achieving a force of 15,000 women who could help provide justice for survivors of gender-based violence.
Unfortunately, the numbers fell short of expectations. Many ordinary Afghans held serious reservations about the police, often viewing them as corrupt and demanding bribes. Female officers faced a stigma, with society branding them as morally questionable.
As awareness of the challenges these women encountered from their male colleagues grew, persuading women to join the police force became increasingly difficult. We made efforts to foster change. When women approached me with complaints, I attempted to provide protection.
However, the district police chief routinely concealed harassment cases, ensuring they never reached the justice system. Those assigned to investigate such cases were corrupt, collaborating to shield one another from accountability.
Fear often prevented women from lodging complaints, as making a statement could tarnish their reputations. They faced potential accusations of complicity, fears of divorce, and the possibility of losing custody of their children. Consequently, many endured their circumstances in silence.
The struggle for female police officers in Afghanistan highlights a systemic failure to protect those who served
This plight is sadly common for women confronting abuse worldwide. Why share my story now? Many of the women I once worked alongside are currently in hiding from the Taliban. When the Taliban returned to power, the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, and other nations effectively abandoned these individuals.
Some have encountered grave threats from the Taliban and their families, as many relatives disapproved of their roles in the police force. Numerous women have fled their homes and concealed their pasts as police officers. Many are living in dire poverty.
While some have succeeded in leaving Afghanistan, they find themselves trapped in a state of limbo, unable to reach the countries that once advocated for their recruitment and training. They cannot access the U.S., leaving them stranded and living in fear, grappling with depression and a sense of hopelessness.
As for me, I barely managed to escape. I secured a visa to Brazil, where I spent nine months attempting to bring my family to safety. Unfortunately, Brazil eventually halted visa issuance for Afghans, prompting me to navigate the treacherous Darien Gap to reach the U.S. Upon crossing the border, I applied for asylum and was granted refugee status.
This situation should not have arisen. The U.S. had previously supported initiatives to train and employ women in the Afghan police force. It now has an obligation to assist those seeking asylum and prioritize these women for refugee resettlement.
Female police officers in need of U.S. protection, whether still in Afghanistan or temporarily in third countries, should have access to resettlement opportunities alongside other vulnerable groups. The U.S. owes them this support.
