The Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) was established in March, 2002 by a number of Afghan female lawyers in Kabul. It was created primarily to respond to the injustices caused by traditional and customary practices on women and children in Afghanistan.

WCLRF's work is focused on low-key long-term activities. Particularly when tackling subjects that are sensitive societal topics, this is an essential factor guaranteeing success. In the communities where WCLRF is working, awareness has been raised for the negative impacts of certain customary practices and the advocacy work is bearing fruit. In some villages, local authorities have imposed maximum amounts of money that can be spent on marriages – as an output of the research about extravagant spendings in weddings. The higher the price for a wedding is, the higher the average level of violence tends to be. Therefore here, an important step has been taken. Also with regard to "bad", child marriages and other practices, WCLRF's work has produced results.

WCLRF is working with the communities and with local authorities – not against them. The outcome of its work is directed at improving the communities' social life and not just that of a few individuals.
The organization is run by Ms Hangama Anwari a women rights activist.
Purpose, Goals and Objectives
The overall purpose of WCLRF’s programme is to empower women & children to claim their legal human rights, particularly the rights to dignity, equality and justice. WCLRF strives to make the voices of women & children heard in all regions of the country, encouraging men to accept the challenge of making communities and homes safe for women & children. Our programmes are based on Mobilizing Communities to Prevent violence.

Current Coverage:

WCLRF’s activities are covering a number of provinces including Kabul, Parwan, Balkh, Badakhshan and Nangarhar, both urban and rural areas.

Key Strategy: 

WCLRF analyzes causes of problems faced by women and children through conducting research and advocacy programs.

WCLRF & HBS Cooperation:

• Reducing harms caused by traditional practices - community empowerment program  (community based trainings and awareness rising) from 2007 up to date on different women and children rights issues
• “Bad painful sedative in Afghanistan” – research report
•  “Access to the right of identity cards and registration of births in Afghanistan” – research report
• “Extravagant expenses in weddings” – research report
• “Study on the impact of proverbs against women in Afghanistan” – research report
• “ A look into the way of children naming in Afghanistan” – research report
•  Waqeyat (Reality) - Legal and research magazine
• "Jurmana" – An advocacy film about reform of "Bad" in Afghan Society
• A local song clip reflecting children's rights
• "Bad" – A radio drama on this customary practice
• A documentary film on violence against women 
• “Violence against women” – research report

For more information please visit www.wclrf.org