Kabul - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, there are quite a lot of social and religious divides in Afghanistan. - Jul 2019
Not among the American staff as far as I've experienced. The Afghan staff tend to be much more conservative and women are not highly regarded in Afghan society, which sometimes poses a challenge for women supervisors. There is a lot of diversity on the compound, with TCNs from all over the world. - Jun 2014
I haven't observed any problems. - Jul 2013
Given the limited interaction with the local population for the majority of positions, it is not that big of an issue. Women are advised to dress modestly. - Mar 2013
Not within the embassy community at all. - Dec 2010
This is a Muslim, male-dominated society. Foreigners tend to get a pass on most things (you can find pork and alcohol in Kabul), but women are definitely treated differently - from staring to flat ignoring during meetings. It's very difficult to meet Afghan women, so you're usually at the mercy of men. Even within the expat community, the ratio has got to be 10:1 - your colleagues stare at you too. - Aug 2010
Not for expats living on the compound. - Jul 2010
I haven't witnessed problems with racial, religious or gender prejudices, but it is a male-dominated environment and has proven to be difficult for females coping with not being used to being around males all the time. - Sep 2009
Have not heard of any. - Mar 2008
