SHARANA - Women’s participation in decision-making will ensure development and peace efforts will move forward, said religious scholars and community leaders at a UN-backed debate in Sharana, capital of the southeastern Paktika province.

KABUL - To discuss preparations for parliamentary and district elections, President Ghani met with Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.

KHOST - Increasing women’s engagement at all levels of Afghan society will empower them, involve them more in community decision-making and improve their access to rights, panellists said at a UNAMA-backed forum in south-eastern Khost province.