Role of Afghan police women in human rights the focus of Maidan Wardak event

21 Oct 2016

Role of Afghan police women in human rights the focus of Maidan Wardak event

MAIDAN SHAHR - International and national laws related to protecting women’s rights were the focus of an UNAMA-backed event set up for female police officers in Maidan Shahr, the provincial capital of Afghanistan’s central Maidan Wardak province.

More than 30 Afghan female police officers, rights activists, civil society representatives and government officials attended the event, which was designed to highlight national and international laws and conventions related to preventing violence against women and protecting women’s rights.

“Women face various problems, including sexual harassment, but now I understand the laws better,” said Amina, a policewoman participating in the workshop.

Recently, to address the unique challenges faced by female police officers, Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry set up provincial councils to facilitate discussion around the problems female police officers face.  Those attending the event, supported by the regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), agreed to meet regularly to discuss their challenges and the possible solutions.

Other workshops for female police officers are scheduled for nearby provinces. These workshops are expected to focus not only on women’s rights but also on workplace harassment and other similar issues.

UNAMA has a mandate to lead and coordinate international civilian efforts, to support the efforts of the Afghan government and to improve governance and the rule of law. It does so as part of broad range of interventions made by the political mission to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan through its good offices and work to promote: coherent development; the process of peace and reconciliation; human rights and protection of civilians in armed conflict, as well as regional cooperation.