WUNRN
Afghan
Women’s Six Point Petition to the Front-Runners of the 2014 Presidential
Election
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. We commend them for not compromising the results of
the election and for showing their readiness for a second round of elections in
conformity with Afghan law, allowing the women and men of Afghanistan, God
willing, to participate in selecting a government that best represents them.
We, as equal citizens of this country, recognize the achievements of more than
a decade in our nation’s struggle with the support of the Afghan government and
international community. The equal rights enshrined in Afghanistan’s Constitution
(2004) for both women and men of this country, the high participation of women
in leadership and politics through political quotas (Parliament, Senate, and
Provincial Councils) and the affirmative action engendered by the recognition
of historical setbacks and suffering that women have experienced are some of
the important achievements of our time.
Despite several setbacks and
challenges there have been landmark changes in women’s socio-political status
when compared to pre-2001where oppression against women was institutionalized,
confining women to their homes. The momentum of progress made over the last
decade must be sustained with the change of national leadership set to take
place. Women’s health, education, and leadership for strengthening governance
should be a priority. Women’s inclusion should be considered as an integral
standard of good governance, not a superficial commitmentto the international
community. Women’s voices should be counted just as their vote counts and
defines the elections.
We, of the 117 women-led
organizations that work for women’s promotion and empowerment and more than
3000 Individual members of Afghan Women’s Network working in all 34 provinces,
call on you, the finalists of the Presidential election, to endorse AWN’s Six
Point Petition. The petition outlines a plan for a just Afghanistan wherein
women and men enjoy equal rights and protection under the law.We recommend the
following six points based on consultations with women’s groups across the
country reflected in Afghan Women Vision 20241.
Endorsement will indicate a
commitment to reflect the recommendations outlined below in your action plans,
policies, and commitments for your five-year term, should you be
elected.Commitment should include concrete steps for advancing implementation
ofthe National Action Plan for Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA), Elimination of
Violence Against Women (EVAW) Law, and other national and international
commitments that have been adopted over the last decade and reinforced by
commitments made in the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework(July 2012).
Education
Continue the implementation and
close monitoring of the “National Education Strategic Plan”. Observe
the“Increasing of Girls Enrollment toPrimary and Secondary Education” policy. Sensitize
school curriculum to reflect commitment to women’s rights and a violence-free
culture that promotes a just and peaceful society. Allocate
a specific budget for women’s expanded access to higher education nationally
and internationally. Plan and implement long-term strategies for professional
capacity building of female and male schoolteachers and university professors. 1Women Vision 2024
launched in pre 8th
March
(2014) event in Kabul is consultative paper of Afghan Women’s Network which
reflects on hopes and inspiration of Afghan women for future based on the
reflection of past.
Health
Address high mortality rates of
mothers and infants. Maintain basic health centers in remote areas, while
improving hospital standards in cities.
Provide capacity to public
health facilities to counter violence against women by effectively collecting
and documenting evidence while also providing immediate medical and
psychological support. Increase the number of trained gynecologists and midwives
in the provinces and capitol by provide scholarshipsand other incentives.
Political Leadership:
Safeguard quotas for women’s
political participation in the parliament, senate, and provincial councils. Commit
to ensure 25% of political posts including cabinet, local government, ministries,
embassies and international missions are filled by women. Institute
short-term and long-term
programs for the recruitment of women in key and decision-making positions. Allocate
specific funds for implementation of commitments made under the “Afghanistan
National Development Strategy” and “National Action Plan for Women” to recruit
and promote women to in all level of civil services, ensuring a minimum of 30%
women.
Justice and Judicial:
Affirm a commitment to implement
the EVAW law, as per Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework endorsed July 2012. Increase
the appointment of women to key judicial and legal positions, ensuring a
minimum of 25% women in all related institutions. Appoint a minimum of one
female judge to the High Council of Supreme Court. Support
women’s shelters and legal aid centers addressing the needs of women affected
by gender-based violence.Sensitize and equip the Afghan National Police to
address violence against women, including explicit focus on building the
capacity and resourcing of the Family Response Units.
Peace and Security:
Cultivate a commitment to
developing national security forces that are inclusive, representative of the
Afghan population, and able to address the security needs of both women and
men. Create an enabling environment for the recruitment, retention, and
security of women in the Afghan National Police. Build the capacity of women
police to serve in oversight and leadership roles. Require instruction on human
rights, women’s rights, civilian protection, and gender-based violence in the
Police and Army Training Academies. Involve women at all levels of
decision-making related to the peace process, including women in the peace efforts
at the community level, on the High Peace Council, Provincial Peace Committees,
and civil society. Address the needs of women in the families of fighters who
have chosen to reintegrate. Ensure the inclusion of women in the vetting of
potential reintegrates, related community recovery, and local grievance
resolution. Finalize and implement the “NationalAction Plan on Women, Peace,
and Security” to fulfill Afghanistan’s obligations under UN Security Council
Resolution 1325.
Economy:
Develop and enforce women-friendly labor laws and employment policies in both government and the private sector. Support women entrepreneurs as a means of enabling broader economic development. Ensure a minimum of 25% of businesses in all National Industrial Parks already in use or soon-to-be established, are women owned. Recognize women’s roles in the agricultural sector and expand their access to basic inputs such as seeds and fertilizer, as well as transportation to and from markets.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________