Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country in transition and continues to face significant challenges that require improvements in security, the economy, governance, and education. The past year saw steps forward in education and women’s rights, declining levels of migration, and continued commitments from the international community, but much more progress is needed to create a stable and democratic society. The Asia Foundation supports the Afghan people through local programs and partnerships focused on improving rule of law, access to and quality of education, women’s rights and empowerment, regional cooperation.

Country overview

Abdullah Ahmadzai
Country Representative

Staff in Afghanistan »

Contact

The Asia Foundation – Afghanistan

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 175
Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel: +93 799 343-462
Email: afghanistan.general@asiafoundation.org

Afghanistan in 2019: A Survey of the Afghan People

Insecurity and economic uncertainty continue to be a concern for most Afghans; 84.4% say they would vote for a president who knows how to improve the economy, while 65.2% say they would vote for a president who accepts a peace agreement with the Taliban. Given the importance of peace, elections, and reconciliation, new Survey questions in 2019 ask Afghans what they might be willing to sacrifice to reach a peace deal, including the constitution, democratic elections, freedom of speech, and the presence of foreign military forces. The Survey of the Afghan People is the longest-running and broadest nationwide survey of Afghan attitudes and opinions. Since 2004, the Survey has gathered the opinions of more than 129,000 Afghan men and women, providing a unique longitudinal portrait of evolving public perceptions.

Ms. Magazine, and Sahar News Highlight 2019 Afghan Survey Findings on Women’s Rights
December 6, 2019
Media Coverage
Afghanistan in 2019: Hoping for Peace

Fahim Ahmad Yousufzai, David Swift, and Tabasum Akseer
December 4, 2019
Blog

15th Survey of the Afghan People Release in Kabul and Washington, DC on December 3
December 3, 2019
Slideshow
AP, New York Times, Washington Post, Feature 2019 Afghan Survey
December 3, 2019
Media Coverage

Educating women and girls

We support training in science, mathematics, and computer literacy to teachers and others in over 120 Afghan schools, reaching more than 12,000 female teachers and students. Of the more than 8,000 Afghan children who directly benefit, nearly 6,000 are girls. Funded by USAID, the Strengthening Education in Afghanistan project also prepares Afghan girls in Kandahar province for the national public university entrance exam. Last year, 78 percent of girls who received support passed the 2018 exam and gained entry to a four-year national university. Another 10 percent will pursue higher education at two-year national higher education institutions.