Women’s Day: As US-Taliban talks go on, UN seeks bigger role by women in Afghanistan peace process

Kabul, March 8: As the fifth round of talks between the US negotiators and Taliban members for achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan entered the 12th day on Friday, March 8, the United Nations sought on the International Women's Day an active role of women in the decision-making in the peace process, the country's Tolo News reported.

In a statement, the UN said that the theme for the women's day in 2019 is "Think Equal, Build smart, Innovate for Change", putting emphasis on innovation at the centre of efforts to build solutions for women and girls in achieving gender equality.

"As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us be reminded, women cannot be left behind as Afghanistan charts its way towards sustainable peace," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, said.

"Having women actively and substantively participating at the peace decision-making tables is a fundamental and key step towards them shaping gender-responsive laws and policies for the benefit of all Afghans."

Yamamoto also said as Afghanistan is focusing on a sustainable peace process, its people have raised concerns over preserving the hard-won human rights gains, particularly the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

As per the UN, the Afghan women are still under-represented in the formal economy and have limited access to social security, public services and infrastructure that can help them improve their productivity, financial self-sufficiency and security. The women of Afghanistan are also burdened with shouldering responsibility of the household.

The UN statement said even though Afghanistan has made advances in matters of gender equality and women empowerment, a lot is yet to be accomplished.