KABUL delegates calling for an end to the war and start of intra-Afghan talks.
The Consultative Loya Jirga that kicked off on Monday in Kabul is scheduled to continue for four days to discuss the framework of peace talks, a possible peace agreement with Taliban and set out conditions for peace.
Zuhal Atmar, an employee of the Afghanistan to call for protection of women’s achievements of the past 18 years.
She said women’s achievements should not be done away with under any circumstances.
Azima Azimi, a worker of the martyrs and disabled department from Kunduz province, said: “I am taking part in the Jirga to convey the voices of my people especially of women’s to the warring parties that we are tired of war and want a lasting peace in the country.”
Hajera Amir Karimi, who represents the media in the Jirga, said the women of today were not the women they had been two decades back. Women could represent themselves and did not need others to represent them and they should be provided the opportunity to defend their rights, she added.
“Freedom is the right of every citizen and nobody reserves the right to take this freedom away from them as well as the right to education and work as enshrined in the constitution,” she explained.
Lina Sherzad, another participant from Badakhshan, said the achievements of the past 18 years should not be ignored in peace negotiations.
“We the women demand our rights including our say in peace parleys. The Afghan women would not go back to the past,” she added.
Peace and stability in the country was the desire of all people, particularly of the women, she said.
Nahid Sarwari, from Kalakan district of Kabul in the event, said women present half of the population in the community and she took part at the massive event to protect their right.
Halima Wardak from Baghlan province expressed optimism that the wide participation of women in the Jirga would have an impact. She said they wanted their activities to be continued.
Rassoul Yar, one of the youth who participated in the massive event, said: “I represent my people in this Jirga and such events are part of our old traditions.”
Another youth Mohammad Naseem Safi from Kapisa province termed the massive Jirga as crucial in the current situation and said all people were tired of war and wanted peace.
Fazel Jamil Hashimi, who represents youth from Badakhshan province, said the people wanted to live in a peaceful environment.
sa/ma
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