Afghan Masculinities and its impact on Gender Equality in Afghanistan

The overall purpose of the research is to achieve an in-depth understanding of different notions of being an Afghan man (masculinities) and how these masculinities contribute to Gender inequality in three different areas of Afghanistan including Kabul, Nangarhar, Takhar, Bamyan, and Kabul Provinces which are covered by Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) except Bamyan province. Understanding Afghan masculinities helps to explain how these socio-culturally constructed ideas of manhood affect men’s attitudes, perceptions and actions and how these factors relate to the dynamics between men and women in Afghan communities. Despite its importance, the focus of the gender studies and indeed the term “gender” for Afghans has come to be associated almost exclusively with women and only very few studies seek to incorporate analysis on cultural notions of masculinity into their efforts. This is while men and boys have been considered as gatekeepers for gender equality. Thus, considering lack of information on this subject and its vital importance for the gender equality in Afghanistan the proposed study seeks to undertake qualitative research aiming to explore the meaning and understanding of being an Afghan man. Regarding this aim, it is also necessary to comprehend their gender attitudes and stereotypes of themselves and also women. The findings of the study will contribute to get to greater understanding of different types of Afghan masculinities and also this fact that how masculinity patterns including gender schemas impacts gender inequality in Afghan communities.

Key Questions

In view of the expected outcomes of the proposed study on Afghan Masculinities, the key questions the proposed research will address are:

• What does it mean to be an Afghan man in Nangarhar, Samangan and Bamyan, Kabul provinces?

• What do gender attitudes of Afghan men toward men’s role look like?

• What do gender attitudes of Afghan men toward women’s role look like?

• Which types of Afghan masculinities can be distinguished?

• How masculinity patterns impacts gender inequality in Nangarhar, Samangan, Bamyan, and Kabul provinces?

• What are the relational consequences of being Afghan men?