'Afghan women capable of playing valuable role in bringing peace'

Gholam Yahya Hazem, director of the regional studies’ department at the State Ministry for Peace (SMP), at the “Unveiling of the Peace Roadmap” conference organized by the Afghan Women's News Agency and Women's Regional Network said that Afghan women had the potential and the legitimate right to play a valuable role in peace. 
Mr. Hazem lent credence to the important role of women in bringing peace by referring to the role that Umm al-Mu'minin Salma played in Hadibiyya Peace.
He stated that the SMP recognized as ‘supporting arms’ the clerics, the influential figures, civil society, research centers, the journalism community, women activists, youth organizations and other civic and scientific organizations and called for close cooperation and coordination with these active classes of the society.
Similarly, Hazem called the youth a cause for bringing positive changes in society, adding that their role in institutionalizing, building and sustaining peace was key.
While appreciating the women's initiative to hold the peace consultative conference and expressing SMP’s support for such initiatives, he explained the SMP’s strategic goals for peace and the role of women and youth in achieving, strengthening and protecting peace.
Habiba Sarabi, a member of the High Peace Council (HPC), also emphasized on unity and solidarity in achieving peace, saying: "We will not achieve peace unless we bring all people together and raise our voices for peace in solidarity."
Meanwhile, Zarqa Yafteli, board member of the Women's Regional Network, while expressing her gratitude to the Afghan Women's News Agency for facilitating the conference, stressed the real and meaningful presence of women in peace talks.