Bamyan women leaders issued a resolution today highlighting the deteriorating security situation in Bamyan that negatively impacts on women’s participation in decision-making and political processes.

The Advocacy Group addressed its resolution to the central government and the UN for possible inclusion in the agenda in this year’s commemoration of UN Resolution 1325 that was unanimously adopted by the Security Council on 31 October 2000.

In their resolution, the women leaders urged the Afghan Government to promote women's participation in the peace process in the spirit of UN SCR 1325, and to respond to the deteriorating security situation in Bamyan, especially on the connecting roads to Kabul.

The Advocacy Group also expressed concern over a number of Violence against Women cases in Bamyan which have been mishandled by judicial and law enforcement actors, and demanded that authorities properly investigate and adjudicate these cases.

The Women Advocacy Group on UNSCR 1325 is a sub-group of the Bamyan chapter of the Afghanistan-wide Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CS & HRN) that was established in March 2011. It has been actively voicing the concerns of Bamyan women in forums.

Also inaugurated at the same event at the Department of Women Affairs (DoWA) was the "Women's Resource Centre" funded by UN Women. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the resource centre was led by Governor Sarabi and other Bamyan women leaders.  

The resource centre featuring a computer room and library is located at the ground floor of the Bamyan DoWA, and will serve as a free source of information and references for use by CoEVAW members and women's rights activists.   

Also in attendance at the inauguration ceremonies organized by DoWA were representatives of line departments, AIHRC, UNAMA, Civil Society organizations, youth representatives and university students.

By UNAMA Central Highlands Region