Press Release regarding of international Women’s Day:

Press Release regarding of international Women’s Day

Serial No: 79

8th March,2019

Kabul ­- Afghanistan

March 8 is a historic day due to women's struggles in the world known as Women's Day. This day, which represents the bravery and empathy of women, it has gained momentum from women's self-advancement and fighting for women, which reflects the value and effectiveness of women's roles and abilities.

Afghan Women's Network, on the pretext of coming to this day, has donated all the best to all women and especially to Afghan women and calls for gender equality in the country.

Afghan women with many cultural and social constraints. These women have often been able to play their part in all fields without any kind of support, for which the country's history is evident in its prominent examples.

We have achieved, great achievements in the post-war period of the past 18 years by raising the voice and carrying out various struggles, and we have not allowed us to be imposed on us in accordance with our interests. These achievements are subject to changes in laws, policies and practices.

But it should be noted that in the current situation in which our beloved country is entering the stage of its political history and peace talks are under way to end the long war, women are working together to coordinate and engage in constructive proposals and get the right solutions. And they want their meaningful participation in this process.

The existence of challenges in the peace talks and concerns such as losing these achievements has made it possible for those involved in the negotiations to offer their presentations, which we are celebrating today, from now on, once again, to put forward the above-mentioned demands. 

To the government of national unity:
1. Afghan Women call for their active participation in all peace talks. Women have knowledge, solutions and key suggestions. Any formal and informal gatherings and initiatives that do not include Afghan women and war victims will not be legitimated by women. We further demand the implementation of Afghanistan National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security.

2. Afghan Women want inclusive peace. The Afghanistan peace process needs to be reviewed. We emphasize on National Unity Government to include people with expertise in peace processes, mediation, facilitation and negotiation, so that professional and practical peace process can be reached with an acceptable achievement for all Afghans, including women.

3. Afghan women demand a peace process that is transparent and accountable. The current peace process in Afghanistan needs to be vigorously monitored so that red lines, the protection of women’s human rights, the rights of victims of violence and armed conflict are seriously reflected and the peace process fosters strongly condemns any cultures of impunity. 

4. The religion of Islam and the constitution of Afghanistan provide equal rights for women and men. No national and foreign groups can represent the views, needs and recommendations of 15 million Afghan women.

To the international community, especially the countries involved in the Afghan peace process:
1. Afghan women focus to participate equally and meaningfully in all peace talks with opposition groups. We emphasize and call for the strong presence of women in peace talks so that women can share their concerns, propose solutions, and take an active role in decision-making.
2. Any kind of facilitation and direct communication with the Taliban will be imperfect in the absence of half of Afghanistan population (women). We call for serious consideration of discussions and decisions of different indulged governments in Afghanistan peace talks, assuring women's participation, inclusiveness of the process, and transparency and accountability.
3. Achievements and advancements of Afghan women should not be the victim of the deals and decisions of the international community, political parties and factions involved in the war in Afghanistan. We do not accept any pre-conditions preventing the participation of women in the peace process and the denial of Afghan women's rights.
4. Afghan women in the course of national and international discussions to policy makers in relation to progress and development at all levels emphasized maintaining the achievements of the past two decades in Afghanistan and support and focus on the achievements.
5. We call on international counterparts and regional countries to seriously support the peace process and find implementing mechanisms to reach these goals in consideration of Afghanistan Constitution and National Values.