Call to enforce women’s protection law

KABUL‘s rights in the country over the past decade.

A statement from the Presidential Palace said Karzai told women’s rights activists, who called on him at his office, efforts were being made to preserve the progress his government had achieved so far in diverse fields, including empowering women.

Afghan Women Network (AWN) acting director Mehbooba Siraj and Dr. Suraya Subhrang, a commissioner at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), spoke at the meeting with the president, the statement said.

They acknowledged the restoration of women’s rights in Afghanistan over the past decade and hailed Karzai’s role as remarkable. But they called for fully enforcing the law on elimination of violence against women across the country and bringing to justice those involved in stoning women to death and murdering them.

They sought the establishment of special courts and prosecution offices in provinces for the implementation of the law on elimination of violence against women.

The women also urged President Karzai to consider appointing two female judges in the High Council of Supreme Court.

Karzai said the remaining threats to women and hurdles in the way of their empowerment would be overcome in cooperation with tribal and religious leaders and civil society activists.

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