STATEMENT
OF DR. MASSOUDA JALAL
Founding Chairperson of Jalal
Foundation and former Minister of Women, Afghanistan
for UN Human Rights Council Session 23 – Panel on
VAW
Legal Framework for Global Action &
Accountability
We, the women of Afghanistan,
are now fighting a fierce battle for our survival and human rights, as the
presumed ‘peace process’ brings back fundamentalists who now conspire to
overthrow the 2009 law on the Elimination of Violence against Women (VAW) of Afghanistan.
This law, the best we’ve ever had, outlaws 22 acts of VAW and is the only ray
of hope in a country where family members are expected to kill a woman
perceived to bring dishonor; where communities delight in the specter of a
woman being stoned, mutilated or hanged to death; and where the President
himself openly stated that his support to women’s rights had already
embarrassed and given him a bad name.
At this point in time, nowhere in the world is the
need for a VAW global framework for action and accountability more profound
than in Afghanistan.
I urge you, on behalf of Afghan women and girls, to fast track the adoption of
this legal framework, with particular attention to the following substantive
elements: (1) preventive measures at all fronts; (2) adequacy of protection,
health, counseling, economic and legal support to survivors; (3) performance
standards for state bodies/officials; (4) creation of oversight and
disciplinary mechanisms to duty bearers who are found to be remiss in their
obligations; and (5) punitive measures to institutions that systematically
foment VAW. This framework should be
endorsed by, among other entities, the Organization of Islamic Countries whose
commitment must be sought in overseeing compliance by its member states.
The exigent situation in Afghanistan
provides a compelling reason to accelerate the process of coming up with this
legal framework for global action and accountability on EVAW. But I also know
that such a process may take some time to complete. In the meantime, I end with a very earnest
appeal for your government and organizations, and for this Council, to
immediately communicate your opposition to the repeal or amendment of the 2009
EVAW Law to the Afghanistan
President and Members of the Parliament. The international community
promised that the rights of Afghan women will not be sacrificed in the altar of
peace. We are counting on the fulfillment of this promise, now, more than ever.
Thank you.