30 November 2010 - UNIFEM (part of UN Women) expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for facilitating the visit of Ms Ines Alberdi, Executive Director, UNIFEM (part of UN Women) to Afghanistan.

Dari - Pashto

During her three-day visit, Ms Ines Alberdi met with high-level leaders including the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Members of the High Peace Council and also participated in the launch of the 16-day global campaign against Gender Violence organized by Ministry of Women Affairs and also addressed by His Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Ms Alberdi also held interactions with a number of key stake holders, including Government representatives, donors, civil society and senior leadership of the United Nations agencies and mission in Afghanistan. She shared knowledge and experiences on ‘UN Women’ and its strategic role both at the UN Headquarters and field levels.

Ms Ines Alberdi led a high-level discussion with representatives of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, development partners and civil society organizations on Gender Equality, empowerment and protection of women, including the new Violence against Women Law and the effective national responses including social protection.

During the 3-day visit Ms Ines Alberdi was impressed with the progress made in the areas of women’s rights, equality and empowerment with focus on achievements such as the ratification of Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and National NAPWA, highlighting the progress made in the area of law creation and development from a gender-inclusive perspective with special emphasis on the new EVAW Law which represents a positive step forward in protecting the rights of women victims of violence (new law criminalizes certain acts of violence, outlines duties and obligations of the various state actors to victims, stresses education and public awareness and lays out penalties for perpetrators).

The increased role being played by civil society, women’s movement and youth groups is also welcoming and appreciative.

It is appreciative to see the openness and opportunities in Afghanistan and UN Women’s role. For instance, the achievements of the London Conference, Kabul Conference, Peace Jirga, the establishment of the High Peace Council and the newly elected women parliamentarians.

These new milestones are seen as opportunities for the UN in Afghanistan to further its mandate of contributing to peace. The President’s speech during the 16-day global campaign against gender violence launch event also reiterated the commitment towards advancing gender equality and protection of women and girls.

UNIFEM’s long term and increased support to Government and the people of Afghanistan dates back to 2002. As UNIFEM transitions into UN Women it will play an increased role in capacitating, supporting and assisting the Government of Afghanistan.

On behalf of UNIFEM (part of UN Women), Ms Alberdi reiterated UN WOMEN’s continued commitment and support in partnership with the UNCT to work with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to enable it to deliver on its commitments to its citizens and in particular to women and girls in Afghanistan.