KABUL - Afghan women from the across the country gathered today to discuss their experiences, vision and contribution to peace in the country at the Fourth Kabul Symposium “Afghan Women; Messengers of Peace” hosted by Afghanistan’s First Lady.

“The United Nations stands in solidarity with Afghan women, and supports all efforts to ensure that women’s involvement in peace is meaningful,” Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, told delegates at the symposium’s opening.

“This three-day symposium is an excellent opportunity for you to share your experiences, discuss your visions for the future and strategize about how women must play a leading role in building peace in Afghanistan.” said Yamamoto, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

The UN envoy underscored other experiences from around the world that had demonstrated that in order for peace to be sustainable, women have to be involved from the outset.

As half the population, the empowerment of Afghan women and girls is essential to ensure their full participation in the political and social life, and help realize Afghanistan’s full potential. Women and girls also have a variety of roles in the home, community and nation that are critical to the promotion of peace.

The Afghan government has pledged to increase the presence of women in government institutions to 30 per cent by the year 2020. We hope that this goal will be achieved.

The United Nations in Afghanistan has been supporting the government’s stated efforts to strengthen the implementation of women, peace and security commitments in compliance with Afghanistan’s international obligations, and Afghanistan’s National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325.