Foreign community commends Afghan women, calls for gains to be preserved

The foreign community in Afghanistan came out in full support of Afghan women on Monday and commended them for their commitment to building peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.

In a letter published Monday, to mark International Women’s Day, the Friends of Afghan Women Ambassadors’ Group stated they celebrate the “strength, resilience and perseverance of Afghan women.

“This year, the stakes are higher than ever as Afghans work to end the violent conflict and establish a sustainable peace,” the group said.

They also stated they “support the loud and consistent calls of Afghan women for a ceasefire, and we condemn the continued targeted attacks on and threats against women human rights defenders, civil society activists, peacebuilders and journalists.”

They pointed out that Afghan women carry the pain of the conflict in their everyday lives.

The group stated that they support calls made that gains made by women are preserved in a negotiated political settlement.

“We have heard Afghan women tell us of the importance of religious and community leaders raising their voices for women’s fundamental rights to engagement in all social spheres, to education and work opportunities, and to protection from violence wherever it may take place,” their letter read.

“We therefore welcome the many statements by Afghan, regional and global ulema that affirm the centrality of women’s rights within Islam.”

The group also called on all parties to the conflict to make more space in leadership and peace structures for women.