Situation Analysis: Afghanistan’s Human Development Index is one of the lowest in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 45 years.

Less than 15% births are attended by medically trained personnel, and little over 33% of women access antenatal care.

There is acute gender disparity. Afghanistan has the lowest female literacy rate in the world, with boys twice as likely to complete primary school as girls. Violence against women is pervasive due to low status of women and long standing conflict.

Early marriage is widespread and there is poor awareness on RH issues Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) is 10% and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is 6.8% Afghanistan is at high risk of HIV/AIDS though current prevalence is low.

Afghanistan is the world’s leading producer of opium. There is an increase in injecting drug use, an estimated 40%users share needles.

Strategic Direction: AFGA will work to increase access to quality RH information, education and services by reducing socio-cultural barriers. Goal: All people, particularly poor, marginalized and underserved are able to exercise their rights and have access to quality RH information, education and services.

Objectives: Objective 1: To reduce socio-cultural barriers inhibiting access to RH information, education and services

Activities:

• Conduct research on family based violence (FBV) and socio-cultural barriers to accessing RH services
• Develop and disseminate BCC material on RH and FBV.
• Orient staff and volunteers on RH and FBV
• Sensitize key stakeholders like government officials, religious leaders, civil society groups, media and community gatekeepers, on RH rights and services and FBV issues
• Establish strategic partnership to improve access to RH services.
• Review national policies related to access t RH rights and services

Objective 2: To increase coverage by 50%to quality RH services in Kabul and to extend these services to 2 other provinces

Activities:

• Establish 5 new clinics and strengthen existing facilities to increase access to RH services
• Baseline on access to RH, including partner mapping, KAP study of service providers and deprivation ranking.
• Establish resource centre RH-related issues Develop training module and screening protocol on FBV Train service providers on quality RH services, including emergency contraception
• Counseling skills training for counselors, service providers and family welfare promoters.
• Develop referral system for continuity of care Establish expert panel on access-related issues
• Develop policy position paper on Access to RH services.
• Standardize infrastructure/facilities at clinics Adopt IPPF quality standards.