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 2016)
In its consideration of the report on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Council members must call on Afghanistan to ensure that women’s full participation and protection is prioritized in the country’s period of transition. As peace talks resume with armed insurgent groups such as Hizb-i-Islami and the international community looks to demonstrate its continued commitment to Afghanistan during the Warsaw NATO Summit and Brussels Donor Conference on Afghanistan, it is a critical time for women’s voices to be included in peace and security decision-making. Afghan women leaders who are playing a fundamental role in supporting the country’s transitional period face increasing insecurity across the country. As the Taliban, Islamic State, and other armed groups attempt to destabilize areas around the country; women are often primary targets. They face ongoing intimidation, threats and targeted violence, exampled by the Taliban’s public execution of a woman in May. Women human rights defenders continue to risk their lives without adequate security and protection. In their discussion, Council members should inquire as to efforts by UNAMA, in accordance with relevant provisions in SCR 2274, and Afghanistan to:
- Ensure women’s security and ability to move freely throughout the country by countering the Taliban and other armed groups, in full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law;
- Ensure women’s involvement in all efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, including in peace jirgas and any negotiations with all armed insurgent groups, to ensure reconciliation does not undermine women’s progress;
- Ensure adequate preparation for October’s parliamentary elections, including ensuring temporary female security personnel are contracted to staff polling stations and female candidates are afforded same levels of protection as their male counterparts; and
- Ensure full implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP) as a critical step in elevating women as full and equal partners in creating a stable future for the country.
In its consideration of the report on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Council members must call on Afghanistan to ensure that women’s full participation and protection is prioritized in the country’s period of transition. As peace talks resume with armed insurgent groups such as Hizb-i-Islami and the international community looks to demonstrate its continued commitment to Afghanistan during the Warsaw NATO Summit and Brussels Donor Conference on Afghanistan, it is a critical time for women’s voices to be included in peace and security decision-making. Afghan women leaders who are playing a fundamental role in supporting the country’s transitional period face increasing insecurity across the country. As the Taliban, Islamic State, and other armed groups attempt to destabilize areas around the country; women are often primary targets. They face ongoing intimidation, threats and targeted violence, exampled by the Taliban’s public execution of a woman in May. Women human rights defenders continue to risk their lives without adequate security and protection. In their discussion, Council members should inquire as to efforts by UNAMA, in accordance with relevant provisions in SCR 2274, and Afghanistan to:
- Ensure women’s security and ability to move freely throughout the country by countering the Taliban and other armed groups, in full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law;
- Ensure women’s involvement in all efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, including in peace jirgas and any negotiations with all armed insurgent groups, to ensure reconciliation does not undermine women’s progress;
- Ensure adequate preparation for October’s parliamentary elections, including ensuring temporary female security personnel are contracted to staff polling stations and female candidates are afforded same levels of protection as their male counterparts; and
- Ensure full implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP) as a critical step in elevating women as full and equal partners in creating a stable future for the country.
Relevant Resources
