{"id":16412,"date":"2019-08-05T08:37:16","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T12:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/?p=16412"},"modified":"2019-08-05T08:38:05","modified_gmt":"2019-08-05T12:38:05","slug":"voices-of-afghan-women-must-be-heard-at-the-table-in-the-peace-process-and-beyond-un-deputy-chief-tells-security-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/?p=16412","title":{"rendered":"Voices of Afghan women \u2018must be heard at the table in the peace process and beyond\u2019 UN deputy chief tells Security Council"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . . <\/p>\n

An article from the United Nations<\/a><\/p>\n

Afghan women have \u201cpaid a high price\u201d during their country\u2019s nearly four decades of conflict, the United Nations deputy chief said on Friday, addressing the Security Council a day after Kabul had been hit with a fresh round of \u201chorrific\u201d bomb attacks.<\/p>\n

As she opened her briefing, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed offered her \u201cdeepest condolences to the Government and people of Afghanistan\u201d, saying that \u201cindiscriminate attacks that kill women and children are an affront to our humanity and a crime under international humanitarian law\u201d.<\/p>\n

Before updating Council members on her recent visit to the country, she affirmed that the UN \u201cstands with Afghans as they work for lasting peace and security\u201d. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nDeputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed briefs the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan and her recent visit to the country. (26 July 2019), by UN Photo\/Loey Felipe<\/center><\/p>\n

Afghan women on the rise\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under the Taliban government, \u201cwomen and girls were denied access to education, health services and protection from extreme violence, and could not participate in political or public life\u201d, said Ms. Mohammed.<\/p>\n

Her briefing comes just days after returning from her third visit to the country to explore UN support for the ‘ women, peace and security<\/a>\u2019 agenda. She was joined by UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs chief,\u00a0Rosemary DiCarlo, the Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA),\u00a0Natalia Kanem, and the head of UN Women,\u00a0Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.<\/p>\n

While there, Ms. Mohammed held talks with President Ashraf Ghani, the Chief Executive, the First Lady, as well as senior leaders and religious scholars; and made a field visit to Bamiyan Province and spoke to women leaders, decision-makers and health care workers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past 18 years, there has been significant progress\u201d, the UN deputy chief reported, pointing out that women encumber senior roles in the Defence, Foreign Affairs and Interior Ministries; 27 per cent of the civil service is female; and women are serving as mayors and provincial governors.<\/p>\n

Moreover, elections are scheduled for 28 September and both the Independent Electoral Commission and Electoral Complaints Commission heads are women.<\/p>\n

Since the fall of the Taliban, nine out of 11 million Afghan children are now enrolled in school; investments in reducing maternal mortality are saving thousands of lives; and improved infrastructure and power supplies are connecting remote areas to national economic opportunities.<\/p>\n

Afghanistan has \u201cdone more to invest in women\u2019s leadership\u201d than many countries with greater means and women are \u201crising to reclaim their rightful place in all areas of society\u201d, Ms. Mohammed spotlighted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe\u00a02030 Agenda for Sustainable Development\u00a0<\/a> holds great promise for the lives of Afghans across the country,\u201d she said highlighting that 24 UN agencies are partnering with the government on issues ranging from food security to clean water and the rule of law, \u201coften risking their lives\u201d.<\/p>\n

Global Goals<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the\u00a0Sustainable Development Goals\u00a0(SDGs), she conveyed that\u00a0SDG 5, on gender equality, is \u201cessential to ensure that women have access to education, health care and decent work, and that women are represented in all areas of society and in all political and economic decision-making processes, including in government and in peace negotiations\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cSDG16\u00a0on peace, justice and strong institutions will also be essential to hold free, fair and credible elections, to build trust in state institutions, and to facilitate reconciliation and the reintegration of former combatants after the signing of any peace agreement\u201d, added the UN deputy chief.<\/p>\n

She brought to light that in the short-term, 6.3 million Afghans need humanitarian aid across the country, adding that \u201cthe\u00a0Humanitarian Response Plan\u00a0is just 27 per cent funded\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must increase that level urgently, to provide immediate support and protection to displaced people and those in greatest need\u201d, explained Ms. Mohammed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Peace needed \u2018urgently\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we witnessed again yesterday, conflict continues in Afghanistan\u201d, Ms. Mohammed said, noting that in the first five months of this year, conflict displaced more than 100,000 people, which \u201cincreases the risk of gender-based violence\u201d.<\/p>\n

(Continued in right column)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Question related to this article:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

\n

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement? <\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Is peace possible in Afghanistan?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

(Continued from left column)<\/p>\n

And in areas where the Taliban has reclaimed control, \u201cthere are reports of honor killings, stoning and other attacks on women\u2019s rights\u201d, she lamented, adding that \u201cpeace, security and economic stability are urgently needed\u201d.<\/p>\n

All the women she spoke to \u201cwanted an inclusive peace centred on women, as well as victims and survivors\u201d, she told the Council.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfghan women, like women everywhere, must play a part in decisions that will affect their future\u201d, she spelled out. \u201cInclusivity is not only the right thing to do for women and girls, it is the only way to make durable peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

Sustainable peace will take time and must address violations and divisions of the past for the country to achieve closure.<\/p>\n

\u201cInclusion and consensus are also essential to creating the greatest possible peace dividend, benefitting all parts of the economy and all sections of society\u2026to address stigma and discrimination based on gender, ethnicity or regional differences\u201d, she elaborated.<\/p>\n

With women playing \u201ca central role\u201d in creating peaceful, inclusive communities with opportunities for all, she said, \u201cAfghanistan is at an important crossroads\u201d and needs the support of the entire UN system and international community \u201cto invest in building on the gains, while sustaining peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI urge this Council to do all in its power to support all Afghans in realizing their hopes and aspirations for lasting peace, stability and prosperity\u201d, concluded the Deputy Secretary-General.<\/p>\n

Gearing up to vote<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taking the podium after Ms. Mohammed, UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo recalled that Afghanistan is marking the centennial of its independence, saying that it is at \u201ca pivotal juncture with an unprecedented opportunity for peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

She underscored the need that the upcoming presidential elections are \u201ccredible and held on time\u201d, adding that the UN is providing technical assistance and that the Independent Electoral Commission has \u201cmade steady progress\u201d in its preparations \u2013 with two non-voting UN members embedded in each Commission.<\/p>\n

A $149 million election budget has been finalized, with the Government covering $90 million and the international community the rest.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver half a million more Afghans have registered, of which some 36 per cent are women\u201d, she updated the Council. \u201cThis is the first time that citizens were given an opportunity to review and make corrections to the 2018 voters list\u201d.<\/p>\n

Despite this progress, challenges remain, including the recruitment and training of thousands of polling staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith only nine weeks remaining to the polling and the Commissions working against the clock\u201d, she underscored that there is no room for technical or political delays, adding also that \u201ca level playing field amongst all candidates is key for credible elections\u201d.<\/p>\n

Credible elections are \u201cvital\u201d to give the newly-elected president \u201cthe authority needed to bring the country together in the peace process\u201d, she maintained.<\/p>\n

Finding a political solution<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, direct talks between the United States and the Taliban continue.<\/p>\n

And while this is \u201can important step forward\u201d towards formal negotiations between the Government and the Taliban to reach a sustainable peace agreement, Ms. DiCarlo affirmed that additional intra-Afghan conferences are planned.<\/p>\n

\u201cA political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan remains more relevant than ever, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict\u201d she stressed, calling on all conflict parties \u201cto respect international humanitarian law, to ensure access for humanitarian agencies to provide life-saving assistance and to distinguish between combatants and civilian targets to protect civilians from hostilities\u201d.<\/p>\n

In closing, Ms. DiCarlo underscored that \u201cAfghans deserve peace and the right to choose their representatives\u201d.<\/p>\n

We urge this Council to do the same\u201d, she concluded.<\/p>\n

A view from the ground<\/strong><\/p>\n

Addressing the Council via videoconference from Kabul, Jamila Afghani of the Women\u2019s International League for Peace and Freedom-Afghanistan, underscored the impact of the conflict on ordinary Afghans, who live in constant insecurity yet find themselves on the side lines of peace talks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since September 2018, the US and other countries had facilitated efforts towards a negotiated peace, but she stressed that there has been a clear absence of meaningful participation by women and other actors, notably the direct victims of war.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAfghan women must be able to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect them,\u201d she said, and urged the Council to ensure clear procedures for engaging Afghan women from diverse backgrounds in peace negotiations and conflict resolution efforts, especially as negotiators and religious leaders who can bridge political gaps on the path to peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She added that the Council should ensure that this year\u2019s elections include enhanced security for women voters and candidates, and for networks involving the Government, civil society and other stakeholders to promote women\u2019s participation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . . An article from the United Nations Afghan women have \u201cpaid a high price\u201d during their country\u2019s nearly four decades of conflict, the United Nations deputy chief said on Friday, addressing the Security Council a day after Kabul had been hit with a fresh round of \u201chorrific\u201d bomb attacks. As … Continue reading Voices of Afghan women \u2018must be heard at the table in the peace process and beyond\u2019 UN deputy chief tells Security Council<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[74,80,12],"tags":[8,31],"class_list":["post-16412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mideast","category-south-asia","category-women","tag-mideast","tag-south-asia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16412"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16412\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english.cpnn-world.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}