KABUL (SW) – Presidential Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has vowed no decision will be made in the peace process without the women’s viewpoints.
He said this in a message in connection with the Women’s International Day. “Women’s rights and their position on the issue of peace are importance to us; therefore, no decision will be taken without women’s views on the issue of peace,” President Ghani said.
It said women have been on the upswing after years of bitter and past experiences, and in all three pillars of the state, women have significant and active presence today. The President stressed with all the achievements and advances made over the past few years, there are still many problems with women’s healing and progress that need to be overcome.
They told me that with improved security, they see the benefits of peace for all Afghans, but they fear that a political turnaround may affect their ability to do business.
They fear that the future Afghan government, which includes the Taliban, may impose restrictions on them and their work. Neither Afghans nor the international community miss Afghanistan for years.
I assured these business women that the United States of America and the international community would oppose any efforts to limit their future.
We have a great deal of diplomatic influence that does not require hard work, and we will not hesitate to use any tool to ensure that Afghanistan's future is built on the achievements of the past six years.
We remain committed to the strong participation of women in inter-Afghan negotiations. All Afghans must be ready to work together – with our support – to chart a future for Afghanistan that respects internationally recognized values about women's rights and roles.
Dr. Sima Samar, special envoy of the president, state minister for human rights and international affairs, has said the International Women’s Day is the day for solidarity and struggles for equality. She stressed the gender-based violence and culture of impunity in this regard should end.
Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, has said in a series of tweets that Washington would oppose any efforts to limit women’s rights in Afghanistan in future. “We have a great deal of diplomatic influence that does not require hard work, and we will not hesitate to use any tool to ensure that Afghanistan's future is built on the achievements of the past 19 years”.
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