Afghan women leaders want to engage in dialogue about the future of their country

More than 60 Afghan Women Leaders met on 10 March to launch a structured dialogue on the role of women in the ongoing discussions about Afghanistan.

During the Forum, which was facilitated by the European Union, the participants agreed that this is the start of a process. The aim is to ensure women’s active and meaningful participation in the dialogue about current developments and the future of Afghanistan, the EU, the Folke Bernadotte Academy and CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation said in a communiqué.

As a first step, the women have indicated the need to identify strategies to promote women’s human rights and to send clear and united messages to all political stakeholders, both in Afghanistan and beyond.

Women have to be considered equal partners in any process relating to Afghanistan. Afghan women should be allowed to speak for, and represent themselves.

This is the start of a dialogue reflecting the EU’s engagement to provide women with an equal opportunity to participate in social, cultural, economic and political life in Afghanistan.

The next meeting is planned for after Ramadan.

The initiative is implemented with the support of the EU in partnership with the Folke Bernadotte Academy and CMI.