Members of the Negotiation Team Meets the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense

Fawzia Koofi and Sharifa Zurmati Wardak, members of the negotiation team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, attended an online meeting with Rebecca Zimmerman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, and some human rights and women's rights activists.
Ms. Koofi said at the meeting: "The current presence of women in various fields is the result of the continuous work of women who have fought for this and have taken the role of women seriously. These activists also include those who are unfortunately no longer with us, and the role of Afghanistan's international partners in supporting women has been much influential and important."
Mentioning that women's presence in the peace process is vitally important for securing their rights and preserving their achievements, she said that women's presence in the peace negotiations is a step forward; however, they are few in number.
Pointing out that women have played a key role in the changes that have taken place in Afghanistan over the past 20 years, Fawzia Koofi said, "During the peace process, we have talked and consulted with women in different parts of the country and have asked them for their views and concerns."
She further said that peace is not only sharing power; rather, we must go deep into the society and act to ensure peace via thought and action.
Ms. Koofi said that the ceasefire was the first issue raised by the Negotiation Team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the other side for discussion, adding that commitment on both sides could have a major impact on the success of the process.