Women’s role in peace process underlined

JALALABAD (PAN in the ongoing peace process with militants.

Members of provincial councils of eastern provinces and representatives of civil society, who participated in the zonal conference, will present their suggestions at a similar event in Kabul.

Civil society organisations’ head, Niamatullah Hamdard, told Pajhwok Afghan News that women’s role in the reconciliation drive in Nangarhar had been far from adequate.

A member of the peace council, Ilyas Madani, said there was a need for involving women in efforts at bringing peace to the country. But only two women were part of the peace body, he added.

Madani said women still faced problems travelling to districts and had insufficient representation in almost all government departments.

Another participant, Rana Qadri, said women could visit remote towns with support from local religious scholars. She urged women of the province to educate their children on peace dividends.

A civil society activist, Ayesha, also believed women’s participation in the peace process was a symbolic. If women were given a proactive role, the government-rebel talks could be productive, she hoped.

“Women constitute 50 percent of the population. It has long been known that when a woman throws her shawl before warring factions (by way of request), they stop fighting,” she concluded.

myn/mud

Visits: 0