Advocacy campaign for women in peace process launched – Pajhwok Afghan News

KABUL peace process.

Over 120 USAID’s Promote Musharikat “Women in Peace” coalition activists and influential religious leaders joined the conversation to review how women will be linked and consulted in the process to assess PPC members’ negotiation and collaboration skills, and to plan how to most effectively advocate for women’s interests.

A USAID statement said after the two-day working session, the participants presented their national campaign plan to senior stakeholders at the Government Media and Information Center (GMIC).

Several women members of the PPCs shared personal stories of the restrictions on their lives under Taliban and happiness of their families.

On the occasion, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah emphasized that he fully supported the efforts of the participants and noted, “We need peace with dignity for both sides.”

US Ambassador John Bass noted, “The United States strongly supports a future Afghanistan in which all of its citizens have an opportunity to live in the peace and dignity with rights.

He said contributions that women would make towards achieving an end to the conflict were critical to the success and sustainability of the effort. “And so, it’s vitally important that the interests of women are fully represented in this process.”

The two-day work session was focused on challenges the participants face in their communities including improving respect for women’s rights and creating space for women in local leadership.

Despite the challenges, Deputy Chairperson to the High Peace Council Dr. Habiba Sarabi assured the participants that the High Peace Council and Promote Musharikat will support them in their advocacy work.

Musharikat is part of the USAID Promote program, which consists of four components: leadership development, civil service training, economic empowerment and civil society advocacy.

pr/ma

Views: 7