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 (September 2013)
The Council is due to receive reports on the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), in advance of a number of key developments in Afghanistan in the coming months, including the ISAF mandate renewal in October. Women’s security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating, and women’s participation in all levels of decision-making regarding their own security and Afghanistan’s future is still insufficient. The Council should inquire into information, analysis, and recommendations on the lack of evident progress in the proportion of women participating in political life. Regarding women’s rights, the Council should call for increased efforts to end the targeting of women and women’s rights defenders, and to ensure their protection, and call for a strengthened and independent Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC). The Council should ensure that the UN presence maintains a robust human rights monitoring and reporting role. Women’s human rights must not be compromised in connection with the transition of security to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) or in peace talks with the Taleban or insurgent groups. The Council should be clear that members of the Afghan government and insurgent groups must not be granted impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Council must call for an immediate end to attacks by the Taleban and armed groups on women and girls, as well as on humanitarian organizations. Perpetrators must be brought to justice. The Council should support efforts for meaningful participation of Afghan women and their security concerns in all peace talks, all reintegration and reconciliation discussions, and in all preparations for the 2014 elections. The Council must also urge the Afghan Government to preserve crucial legislation, such as the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women Law, which is currently under threat of being significantly weakened or completely repealed. The Council should urge the Afghan government to increase the number of female recruits in the ANSF, particularly the Afghan National Police, and ensure their safety and dignity in the workplace. The Council should urge the Afghan government and other relevant agencies to allocate adequate financial and human resources to the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation for swift implementation of National Policy on Internal Displacement. Further, Council members should ensure that commitments made in the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework and its review are implemented, particularly in regards to gender equality
Relevant Resources
