Afghanistan is at an important juncture in its history. On April 5 Afghan women and men reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and the peaceful transfer of power through their widespread participation in the presidential election, in the hope of securing a better future for themselves and their children. We congratulate the two prime candidates Dr.Abdullah Abdullah and Dr.Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.
Women's empowerment in Afghanistan was at the forefront of the international agenda after the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Now, more than 10 years later, improvements have been made, but with a weakening of political will and transition underway, it is questionable whether these advances have been sustainable and how they are impacting the day to day lives of Afghan women.
On September 13, 2013, PeaceWomen, along with the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations and the Princeton University Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, hosted our ninth Women, Peace and Security (WPS) lecture on “The Situation of Afghan Women: 2014 and Beyond.” The event, which featured Executive Director of Women for Afghan Women Ms.
Speech by John Hendra, Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director Policy and Programme, UN Women at the International Conference on “Women, Peace and Security,” Ministry of Foreign Affair, Kabul, Afghanistan, 5 October 2013.
Excellency Deputy Minister for Women's Affairs, Excellency Deputy Director High Peace Council, Excellencies, Ambassadors, Distinguished Guests,
