KHOST - Increasing women’s engagement at all levels of Afghan society will empower them, involve them more in community decision-making and improve their access to rights, panellists said at a UNAMA-backed forum in south-eastern Khost province.  

“Women are half of the population, so it is impossible to imagine social life without their contribution,” said Maulavi Shah Muhammad, head of the provincial Ulema Council. “Their empowerment and participation in decision-making is vital.”

The half-day programme brought together more than 30 participants, including religious leaders, civil society members, women’s rights activists, provincial officials, students and media professionals.

A panel discussed the importance of women’s involvement in the social, political, economic and cultural life of the province, and highlighted the role of government, civil society and community elders in facilitating women’s access to their fundamental rights.

One of the panellists, Nasreen Ihsan, said that according to Sharia law, men and women have equal social, economic and political rights, and stressed that their engagement in social and political life is obligatory. Ms. Ihsan also said families should be encouraging and supportive, and conducive to women’s participation and engagement.

Najibullah Alokhail, a human rights activist, called attention to the constitutional protection of women’s rights, but maintained that practical empowerment is necessary if women are to play an active role in local decision-making processes.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the event’s participants agreed that enormous change has taken place in the province, but concluded that much more remains needs to be done to empower women and improve their quality of life, particularly in isolated rural areas. Khost province, which is largely Pashtun, shares a border with Pakistan to the east.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides good offices; promotes coherent development support by the international community; supports the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.