Women must work to create a sustained movement to participate in the peace process

Abdul Salam Rahimy, Special Representative of the President and the State Minister for Peace, said at the "United Voice of Afghan Women for Peace Policy" meeting that members of this formation must work actively for creation of a sustained movement for women to participate in the Afghan peace process.

The Special Representative of the President spoke at the meeting on the technical aspects of this formation and said that working groups should be established as needed and these working groups must be able to identify where the State Ministry for Peace could facilitate their work. He added that the areas where these women can work for peace should also be specified.

The State Minister for Peace emphasized that this formation should be a means for mobilizing women in the center and provinces of the country.

It was also discussed during the meeting that how to set up working groups according to the expertise and experiences of its members.

Dr. Aleman, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Refugees, Returnees and Repatriation (MoRR) said that the working groups should consider the issue of political, social, legal and economic participation of women.

Mary Akrami, director of Afghan Women’s Network said that the members of this advisory body should work to create a political consensus and maintain their impartiality.

Zainab Movahed, a university lecturer said that work on legal and Islamic jurisprudence issues is necessary.

Roqia Alemi Balkhi, head of the Women's Development Agency, emphasized the need for the establishment of a broad network of communication with women in the center and provinces, calling it an urgent need for getting information and establishing communication with women across the country.

Civil society activist, Khadija Aryan, talked about women's participation and their role in the peace process. She suggested that a job description manual should be created for the working groups.

Women's rights activist, Shukria Jalalzai, pointing out the importance of establishing technical and specific groups, said that members of groups should be experts and professional women and familiar with national and international issues.

Humaira Saqib, member of Afghan Women’s Network said that the State Ministry for Peace should also work on increasing women’s participation in the Afghan peace process. She added that the government must at least give 30% share to women in the peace process.

Zar Bibi Sulaimankhel, a member of the Women's National Consensus for Peace, said that the government should listen to the voices of women from the provinces and allow them to take an active part in the peace process because they have made the most sacrifices.

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to set up different working groups and identify the members according to their expertise and work experience.