Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been engulfed in violent armed conflict since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, and efforts to build sustainable peace while preventing the re-establishment of extremist rule depend on the inclusion of women.
Living in the most dangerous place in the world to be a woman, as the Thomas Reuters Foundation revealed in 2011, Afghani women have emerged as leaders in the peace process— advocating constantly for more inclusive government, and inspiring marginalized groups nationwide to demand a place in the political system. Despite the important role that Afghani women play in bringing about social change in Afghanistan, many barriers to their involvement still exist.
Based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for eliminating these barriers by encouraging UNAMA to support the Afghan government in fully implementing the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP), and ensuring women’s full and equal participation in regularly held elections.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Afghanistan (June 2010)
There are several key events regarding Afghanistan scheduled for June.
- The planned Peace Jirga has been once again postponed, and is now scheduled for early June. Concerns regarding representation persist: the Peace Jirga must reflect Afghan society, particularly the representation of women and minority groups, and the inclusion of their rights and concerns on the agenda.
- The Afghanistan UNAMA country report is due in the Security Council this month. Previous reports have not adequately reflected the serious barriers women face when attempting to assert their rights to participate in all aspects of economic and political life in Afghanistan, nor have these reports included sufficient recommendations for removing these barriers. In particular, Council Members should inquire into any lack of information and analysis on violations of women’s rights.
- The Security Council is scheduling a mission to Afghanistan in late June. As per the Security Council’s stated intention in SCR 1325 OP15, this mission should include meeting with women’s rights organizations. Specifically, both local and international women’s rights defenders should be substantively consulted during the mission, and their concerns are reflected in the mission report and in future Security Council action in Afghanistan.
There are several key events regarding Afghanistan scheduled for June.
- The planned Peace Jirga has been once again postponed, and is now scheduled for early June. Concerns regarding representation persist: the Peace Jirga must reflect Afghan society, particularly the representation of women and minority groups, and the inclusion of their rights and concerns on the agenda.
- The Afghanistan UNAMA country report is due in the Security Council this month. Previous reports have not adequately reflected the serious barriers women face when attempting to assert their rights to participate in all aspects of economic and political life in Afghanistan, nor have these reports included sufficient recommendations for removing these barriers. In particular, Council Members should inquire into any lack of information and analysis on violations of women’s rights.
- The Security Council is scheduling a mission to Afghanistan in late June. As per the Security Council’s stated intention in SCR 1325 OP15, this mission should include meeting with women’s rights organizations. Specifically, both local and international women’s rights defenders should be substantively consulted during the mission, and their concerns are reflected in the mission report and in future Security Council action in Afghanistan.
Relevant Resources
