MOWA had a major shift in its strategy from welfare oriented, direct implementing approach to a policy influencing body by 2002.

Provide direction, build inter-ministerial collaboration and develop the capacity of government agencies to ensure that policy formulation, planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring equitably respond to the differential needs and situations of women and men.

As the prime agency for women's advancement, MOWA was headed by a Minister who reported directly to the President and was a member of the Cabinet.

Provincial Departments of Women's Affairs have not yet been set up in the provinces of Uruzan, Paktika, Daykundi and Panjshir.

It liaised with the Ministry of Justice and the Commission of Judicial Reform to ensure that women's human rights be explicitly recognized and protected in the judicial system and the standards set under international human rights instruments and being fulfilled.