Women’s role in peace process stoutly supported

KABUL Ambassadors’ Group said on Saturday.

“Today we celebrate the achievements of Afghan women peace builders and reaffirm our pledge to support their future,” the group said in a statement.

On the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the group said it celebrated the achievements of Afghan women peace builders and renewed its pledge to support their future.

The anniversary of the resolution coincided with a pivotal point in history for women and peace in Afghanistan, the statement added.

In 2020, the group continued, Afghan women routinely contributed in all aspects of the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda. 

As political and community leaders, decision-makers, human rights defenders and visionaries, women played important roles in community cohesion, conflict prevention and peace-building.

Women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace negotiations was essential to achieving more sustainable peace, it contimued.

The group acknowledged women brought unique perspectives to all aspects of the peace process, from negotiation to implementation, representing the full range of political, economic and social issues.

However, it regretted women and children continued to be disproportionately affected by the ongoing conflict.

Between January and September this year,  more than four of every 10 civilian casualties in Afghanistan were women and children.

“Therefore, we again call on all parties to the conflict to reduce violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, as a matter of urgency and to work towards creating a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan.

“We urge the men of Afghanistan to champion actions that help reduce the impact of insecurity and violence on women…”

The group reiterated its enduring support for the women and men on the negotiating team of Afghanistan who were championing the rights of women. 

Afghans and their international partners were reminded of their responsibility to ensure that universal human rights for all were protected and strengthened through the peace process.

“Once again we urge all parties to the conflict to seize this historic opportunity for peace in Afghanistan.  It is vital that Afghan women have a central, equal, meaningful and continuing role in transforming the conflict and building a better future for all Afghans.”

pr/mud