PUL-E KHUMRI - Participants at a UN-backed event in the northern province of Baghlan universally affirmed their commitment to empowering Afghan women and signed a memorandum to work toward implementing the government’s national action plan on women.

The event, supported by the regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), was organized with Baghlan’s Department of Women’s Affairs to create a forum where provincial leaders could discuss key issues surrounding the importance of women working in government institutions.

While Afghan women make up roughly half of the country’s population of around 30 million, they do not have universal access to education and vocational opportunities. In this context, the government has worked to empower women through various initiatives, with one of those initiatives being to increase the number of female civil servants across the country.

The Baghlan event, which drew some 45 professionals from government offices, educational institutions and civil society groups, was covered by Tanweer TV and Radio Arezo, reaching an audience estimated at 500,000 people in and around the provincial capital.

Khadija Yaqeen, the Director of Baghlan’s Women’s Affairs Department, opened the discussion with a presentation about Afghanistan’s national action plan for women. “Despite security challenges towards proper implementation, we have been trying to push government departments to work toward implementation of the plan in Baghlan,” said Ms Yaqeen.

In addition to talking about the political and social benefits of women working in government institutions, participants presented religious and constitutional perspectives on empowering Afghan women, and universally agreed to work toward implementing the national action plan on women.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides 'good offices' among other key services. 'Good offices' are diplomatic steps UN takes publicly and in private, drawing on its independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.

UNAMA also promotes coherent development support by the international community; assists 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.