Statement by the NDP on the Afghan President endorsing a code of Conduct that constitutes a step backwards for women

New Democrats are concerned that the endorsement of a voluntary ‘code of conduct’ by the President of Afghanistan is a step backwards for Afghan women. The code of conduct, issued by a religious advisory council, allows husbands to beat their wives under certain circumstances and encourages the separation of the sexes.

In 2009, the international community condemned legislation passed in the Afghan parliament that explicitly gave men all the rights in child custody and divorce, and even more concerning, legalized rape within marriage. Fortunately, the legislation was revised after international pressure.

We urge the Canadian Government to raise these concerns with the government of Afghanistan and press them to live up to their international human rights obligations, including defending women’s equality.