A durable political settlement and the rebuilding of Afghanistan will not succeed without the full and meaningful inclusion of Afghan women, the Friends of Afghan Women Ambassadors’ Group said in a statement.
It said that Afghan women have the right to have their voices heard, full political participation, safety and security, freedom from violence and coercion, equal education and equal work opportunities, as guaranteed by Afghanistan’s laws and international obligations.
As the Afghan peace negotiations enter a critical phase and options for the future of Afghanistan are discussed, “we urge all parties to respect and include women in all decision-making processes through direct representation, consultation and special consideration for their historical vulnerability and discrimination,” the statement said.
The Friends of Afghan Women Ambassadors’ Group is comprised of the chief representatives in Kabul of: Australia; Denmark; the Aga Khan Development Network; Canada; the European Union; the Netherlands; Turkey; the United Kingdom; the United Nations; and the United States.
