The research project on “Role of media in decreasing/increasing the violence against women” has been conducted in Kabul, Balkh and Herat.  This research is aimed to study, evaluate, and describe the violence applied in media organizations, and the impact of media programs in promoting the violence against women to provide a reasonable solution in reduction and eradication of violence against women.

In the end of the research project, the advocacy group which were formed by participation of representatives from media organizations, and civil society in 07-09-2017 in the DSAWCO office. The advocacy group is aimed to share and follow up the recommendations with authorities, and media organization to include their view and recommendations.

In addition to inclusion the views and recommendation of authorities and other institutes, the advocacy group want to evaluate how to change the law to improve the women who are victims of violence broadcasted by media organizations.

In the first meeting, 8 members from civil society, member of Musharakat, and media organization have participated. In the first session we have provided information about Promote project, the coalition of prohibition of violence against women, DSAWCO, the research project “role of media in increasing/decreasing or violence against women” and the objective of the advocacy group.

We have also discussed about the recommendation of the research, the activity of advocacy group, and the follow up method of the advocacy group.

The second meeting was held in office of deputy minister of information and culture in 09-11-2017. Firstly, the Advocacy group explained the aim of formation of advocacy group, research, and recommendations of respondents to the deputy minister.

Following the introduction, deputy minister explained the methods of cooperation, existing laws, and the legal manner of achieving the advocacy group’s objectives. He said that violence is a complicated phenomenon, which exists in our social structure. According to him, reduction of violence needs long-term work and need cooperation of all institutions and government organizations.

He mentioned that the article (15-20) of regulation of establishment of media is about the women affairs and media have to apply it. He added that we have sent many official letters to the media to apply the policy and law in broadcasting programs. He promised that spreading violence through media is not acceptable, and MOIC will strictly apply the broadcasting policy and relevant laws to prevent the violence against women through media. According to him the setting of new media monitoring system is in progress, to monitor both printing media and visual media.

He added that, MOIC also faces some challenges such as insecurity, decreasing the international aid, and unreasonable activities of media organization. He also updated the advocacy group about the laws regarding cyber-crimes, media violation, and action against such cases.

The third meeting was held in sep-11-2017 in office of director of planning of MOWA.  In the beginning session, the advocacy group explained the aim of formation of advocacy group, research, and recommendations of respondents to the deputy minister.

Following the introduction, director of planning explained the methods of cooperation, existing laws, and the legal manner of achieving the advocacy group’s objectives, and asked MOWA as policy making organization should consider the research recommendation.

Planning director has confirmed that MOWA will use the content of the research in their future programs, as the ministry is working on a draft about public outreach. So the research will be used in our next public outreach program and policy.

She added that until now, such a research was not done in MOWA, and we will consider the research as an important document in terms of violence reduction issue in the country.

MOWA will share the research to the high commission of prevention of violence against women and MOJ to include some recommendation of the research in laws and regulations.

She also promised to lobby on inclusion of women issues in the law draft of cyber-crime and will coordinate with MOI and MOJ.

The final meeting was held in sep-12-2017 in the office of NAI media organization. in the introductory session, advocacy group explained the aim of formation of advocacy group, research, and recommendations of respondents to the deputy minister.

Following the introduction, a joint discussion about the research finding, recommendations, and type of cooperation between advocacy group and NAI organization was done.

Mujib Khalwatgar, the director of NAI said that this research is very important and suggested some points including establishment of psychological group to evaluate the media programs, and advertisements, meeting with media managers, inclusion of one representative of media in advocacy group, and preparing a guideline of do, and do not of media programs. He also shared his views about the research findings with advocacy group