In April 2007, Rights & Democracy launched the project “Rights in Practice” funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). This 4-year project supports the efforts of the government and citizens of Afghanistan, particularly that of women, to lay the foundations for an equitable country.  The aim of the project is to improve the situation of women’s rights, focussing on family law.

The project is based on three strategies aimed at empowering women through legal reform, training and knowledge sharing.

Reforming the Family Law: Lessons Learned from the Muslim World
The project supports the efforts of an expert committee responsible for reviewing the family code. The Committee brings together parliamentarians and key stakeholders responsible for drafting a gender equitable family law, its implementation, as well as the implementation of the national marriage contract that aims to guarantee the rights of women. The expertise and experiences of other Muslim countries is also made available to the Committee and to other pertinent Afghan organizations

Awareness-Raising of Local Communities on Issues Related to the Family Code, the Marriage Contract and Women’s Rights
The project also involves a capacity-building programme targeting various actors at the community level. Training is offered to community leaders on issues related to women’s rights, family code reform and the use of the marriage contract. The same issues are targeted in the awareness campaign, which is based on radio broadcasts as well as the funding of six legal aid clinics and a women’s support centre in Kandahar.

Supporting the Women’s Movement in Afghanistan
The final strategy of the project is also focussed on capacity building but is centered on women’s groups. A specific funding mechanism for such groups provides support for unique – and at times daring – initiatives launched by women.

Some examples include: capacity building workshops, legal education on women’s rights laws, networking and knowledge sharing between rural and urban women, participation of women in political processes, legal aid and vocational training.

En avril 2007, grâce à l’appui financier de l’Agence canadienne de développement international (ACDI), Droits et Démocratie a lancé un projet intitulé : Une mesure d’égalité pour les femmes afghanes : les droits en pratique.  D’une durée de 4 ans, le projet appuie le processus de réforme du code de la famille et la création d’un environnement favorable au respect des droits des femmes en Afghanistan.
Le projet s’articule autour de trois stratégies, qui ont pour objectif de créer des espaces de discussion, de formation et d’échanges, autour des questions reliées au droit des femmes, au code de la famille et au contrat de mariage.