Afghanistan Gets $122.5 Mil to Combat Gender-Based Violence under Taliban with no Follow Up

The U. S. government is facing criticism for not properly monitoring $122. 5 million allocated to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control. A federal audit by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reveals serious lapses in the implementation and oversight of this aid. Specifically, the State Department failed to follow necessary procedures, such as gathering progress reports, validating data through site visits, and setting clear goals for GBV prevention in the country.

Since the U. S. military withdrawal in 2021, nearly $3 billion in humanitarian aid has been sent to Afghanistan, some of which has inadvertently benefited the Taliban. Judicial Watch, an advocacy organization, has noted that the State Department has not sufficiently vetted organizations that receive this aid, leading to funds being channeled to groups with potential terrorist connections. The Taliban has exploited this situation by creating fake nonprofit organizations to access U. S. funding, particularly in education, despite issuing decrees that severely restrict women's educational access and rights.

The audit indicates that U. S. taxpayers have contributed significantly to GBV initiatives, totaling $237 million on 31 programs since October 2020, with over half that amount disbursed after the Taliban's takeover. This continued funding occurs even as the Taliban has systematically dismantled reforms aimed at protecting women, such as abolishing the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and failing to enforce laws against violence toward women.

There is little accountability for where this aid is going, and concerns grow about the Taliban's intentions, as they actively restrict women's rights, preventing their participation in society. Reports show that dissenters face harassment and violence, further complicating the situation. The audit reinforces the idea that the U. S. government's strategies have not adapted to the new regime in Afghanistan, leaving vital programs unprotected and women’s rights in jeopardy.

Judicial Watch has focused on these issues, drawing attention to the serious implications of federal aid practices in Afghanistan and the troubling relationship between U. S. funding and Taliban governance. The organization has emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer money, especially in regions affected by terrorism and humanitarian crises. 

https://www.judicialwatch.org/afghanistan-gets-122-mil/