Despite many years of severe and institutionalized gender discrimination and gender-based violence in Afghanistan, it is only very recently that the situation of the women in Afghanistan is receiving world attention, and that Afghan women's right to the full enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms is being recognized widely.

The United Nations and its family of organizations have a long history of interest and activities in Afghanistan, particularly in the areas of humanitarian assistance and peace-building. In 1997, an Interagency Gender Mission to Afghanistan was organized to examine the situation of women and to propose guidelines on how to mainstream a gender perspective into the delivery of aid.

Over the past 20 years of conflict, the Security Council has, on several occasions, considered the situation of Afghanistan, and of Afghan women in particular. More serious consideration has been given to the situation of women since the Taliban took Kabul in 1996. The Council's interest in gender issues and the impact of conflict and of policies on women and men has steadily increased. In 1997, debates focusing on Afghanistan took place, with such a debate dealing with gender issues in April 2000. These culminated with the historic resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000. The General Assembly, the ECOSOC, the Commissions on the Status of Women and on Human Rights have also discussed the question of Afghan women on a continuing basis.

On 14 November 2001, the Security Council adopted resolution 1378 calling for Afghans to establish a transitional administration leading to the formation of a government which should be broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative and respect the human rights of all Afghan people, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion.

During the past weeks, the UN has developed a fast moving strategic framework in order to be able to deliver humanitarian aid, to stabilize the country and to ensure that no final decisions are taken without the participation of all parties in the negotiations, including women. The Secretary-General has appointed Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi his Special Representative, who is assisted by his Special Envoy in Islamabad, Mr. Francesc Vendrell. Three Executive Committees, reporting to the Secretary-General, on peace and security, humanitarian aid and development/reconstruction, comprising clusters of agencies engaged in related work, meet regularly and have drawn up strategic recovery plans on the political process, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of the country, which will not be implemented without the approval of Afghans.

The first Integrated Mission Task Force (IMTF) has been established to advise the Special Representative of the Secretary General and coordinate and prepare strategies based on inputs from the Executive Committees and the field through the Resident Coordinator. It is headed by a senior director and includes a gender specialist from the Division on the Advancement of Women (DAW).

The current priorities of the UN system include:

• to stabilize the country and assist in the creation of a transitional government;
• to create conditions that allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance;
• to develop a plan for the reconstruction and recovery of the country;
• to support the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.