KABUL (SW): President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani promised on Tuesday women would have a genuine rather than symbolic say in peace talks with the Taliban.
He said this while announcing his country’s National Action Plan for the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1325 on women and peace.
The UNSC adopted resolution (S/RES/1325) on 31 October 2000 that reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
“The war has been imposed upon us but we will not opt for peace from a weak position”, he said.
Flanked by first lady Rula Ghani and Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, Ghani told a gathering of UN officials and foreign diplomats, Ghani mentioned the appointment of first female Supreme Court judge and vowed to continue empowering Afghan women.
The Afghan President has four female ministers in his 25-member cabinet and has appointed two female governors. Promising to appoint female deputy ministers in each ministry, Ghani said around 250 women judges were serving in various judicial organs.
He however, confessed that despite improvement violence against women remained rampant in some parts of the country.
“Unfortunately, the younger generations still believe in using force against women, even some literate people indulge in violence against women”, he said. Ghani stressed upon the role of religious leaders to spread awareness about women rights.
The Afghan President mentioned that soon with the help of Turkish government, a female university would be established.
In line with the National Action Plan, the government of Afghanistan would compel each ministry to report about their efforts in regard to the UNSC’s Resolution 1325 for at least next eight years.
Ghani said establishing a fair and enabling environment where women can have equal rights remains a challenge in Afghanistan. He vowed to take practical measures to transform the government’s will into action.
ENDS
