KABUL - The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign that runs from 25 November, International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, through 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

This year’s theme is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World” highlighting the key roles women play in the family and as peacemakers and peacekeepers in war zones. In Afghanistan, support for women’s issues is one of the five priorities of the United Nations agencies and programmes.

Today’s story is authored by UNAMA.

Afghanistan’s Lower House of Parliament, the Wolesi Jirga, convened in January with 69 women among the 249 Member of Parliament. A record number of 406 women candidates had run for those seats.

In November, the Loya Jirga successfully took place with 2,030 people – 18 per cent of them women, and the first female spokesperson, Safia Sediqi.

“Culturally, women are willing to participate in political life. There is willingness and ground for women to grow. There should be mechanisms and effort to use the capability of women in return to help themselves,” said Mayor Azra Jafari of Nili, Dai Kundi province. She is the only female mayor in Afghanistan.

Shafika Hakimi, Member and Secretary of the Provincial Council in Dai Kundi added: “People do not accept women’s ideas; they support males’ ideas. And the women’s first question is, ‘How did your husband allow you to travel so far alone?’ Husband, children -- these remain the mentality of women.”

These women are among the political role models who are fighting to change mindsets and serving as female peacemakers in provinces.

Afghan women have a vital role to play to help achieve peace, and to help ensure that all Afghans can both contribute to achieving peace and benefit from it.

In accordance with international agreements - most notably UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security - the Government of Afghanistan has the duty to ensure women are active engagement in the reintegration and reconciliation policies. The UN family is also bound by the same Resolution to ensure that Afghan women participate in peace-making, and that their needs and views are represented.

Educated women and healthy families are the foundation of a peaceful and progressive Afghanistan.