‘Peace in Afghanistan hinges on empowering women’

Islamabad: Afghanistan’s path to peace and prosperity only passes through empowering Afg­han women. This was resolved in a virtual international gathering of diverse voices of women leaders from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan at a “Women’s rights in Afghanistan – regional perspectives and role of Islamic World” organised by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) here Tuesday.

Afghan women's rights took center stage, highlighting the enduring struggle they face amidst the crossfire of war and political turmoil. The speakers underscored the need for women's inclusion in decision-making processes as equal partakers, given their unique perspectives and compassion they bring making urgent call to eradicate archaic notions and empower women to lead nations for global peace and prosperity resonated strongly.

The forum united voices from various nations, championing education, economic empowerment and diplomatic pressure to safeguard the rights of Afghan women on a worldwide scale.

Zarifa Ghafari, a former Afghan Mayor, noted that for decades, Afghan women were caught in the crossfire of war, politics and policies that played with their innocent lives. They bore the heaviest brunt and faced the most severe repercussions of power politics. The ongoing struggle of Afghan women to secure their fundamental rights is noteworthy where, despite restrictions, they persist, yet their cries often go unnoticed on the global stage, she continued. It's vital to recognise that global issues would not be resolved unless we involve women in the decision-making processes.

Shokhinakhon Bakhram­ova, a specialist on women's issues and gender equality from Uzbekistan, said that in the interest of developing a global understanding of what’s happening inside Afghanistan, fostering people-to-people connectivity - among Afghans and other nations - is crucial. She highlighted the progress made in Uzbekistan, including the criminalisation of domestic violence as an inspiring example/model for other countries to follow. Bahar Fayeghi, an Iranian PhD scholar at the University of Edinburgh, acknowledged the challenges faced by Afghan women in Iran due to issues like patriarchy and government policies that limit their basic rights. Despite these challenges, Afghan women have demonstrated remarkable courage, determination, and resilience.