Over half of the Afghan population is estimated to suffer from some sort of trauma related mental health disorder due to multiple generations of conflict and violent war. The disproportionate burden of mental illness falls upon women in rural areas, the majority of whom have survived some form of gender-based violence (an estimated 90 percent) and who have most intimately experienced war-time traumas -- their homes the sites of war crimes. The high stigmatization of mental health and gender-based violence and virtually no public service provision of psychosocial services, means that most women are forced to cope alone.  

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Positive mental health is inextricably linked to a range of development outcomes, including better status, enhanced productivity and earnings, improved relationships, closer social connections, and improved quality of life.  Ultimately restricting women’s role in public space, the psychosocial status of women impedes peace making and sustainable development possibilities. 

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In partnership with the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Afghanistan Libre provides to 1000 female survivors of gender-based violence and contemporary forms of slavery a year with psychosocial support. In Afghanistan, contemporary forms of slavery most often take on the forms of early and forced marriage; one in three girls being married before they turn 18 and between 60 and 80 percent of all marriages being forced. 

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Afghanistan Libre makes important psychosocial rehabilitation  possible via monthly psychoeducation and group support and appropriate targeted mental health care. Facilitating to survivors not only mental health care, but opportunities to forge support networks with other women and survivors.