Afghan women working to make a difference in public life

2 Feb 2016

Afghan women working to make a difference in public life

LAGHMAN - Women in Laghman and Nangarhar provinces in eastern Afghanistan have come together at UNAMA-backed meetings to discuss ways they can participate more effectively in elections, the peace process and local governance.

More than two dozen women from eight villages in the Qarghayi district of Laghman province took part in the most recent of a series of UNAMA workshops to discuss UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and develop strategies to play a more active role in all aspects of Afghan public life.

The Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on women, peace and security on 31 October 2000. The resolution reaffirms the important role women play in the prevention and resolution of conflict, and stresses the importance of women’s full involvement in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security.

The Qarghayi event followed earlier events in Laghman and Nangarhar, where women exchanged views on a range of issues, including increasing women’s participation in social and political activities. In particular, they discussed elections and the governance needs of their local areas.

“We voted in the last elections, and we will vote in any future elections,” said one of the women, echoing the sentiments of the other participants who said they are optimistic about the prospects for electoral reform.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and relevant international and local non-governmental organizations to assist in the full implementation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution and international treaties to which Afghanistan is a State party, in particular those regarding the full enjoyment by women of their human rights.