During the second Presidential Election in Afghanistan, we in the “Afghanistan Women’s 50% Campaign” clearly informed the country and the presidential candidates of our demands. We now declare to the delegates of the Afghanistan government and the international community at the London Conference, who are seeking solutions that we expect them to stand by their obligations before the women of this country and to display their determination to deal with these demands.
The 50% Campaign was established in 2009 by 70 social and civil activists in Afghanistan and launched by the Armanshahr Foundation/OPEN ASIA, National Union of Women in Afghanistan and the Political Participation Committee of Women of Afghanistan. The 50% Campaign has won the support of more than 10,000 determined and informed men and women in different parts of the country. As representatives of half the population, we state our demands as follows:
To the Government of Afghanistan:
1.We women shall not support any non-transparent talks with the armed opponents of the government that ignores our human rights, for which we have fought for many years in the face of great dangers.
2.Our country shall not achieve a comprehensive growth and development without women’s participation. Women’s political participation in decision making positions at the local, national, regional and international levels, must take place not symbolically but in the full sense of the word in all areas, using all the capabilities, aptitudes and merits of women.
3.Illiteracy is one of the greatest obstacles blocking progress and fruition of activities geared to lasting development and social and economic improvement in the conditions of citizens and preventing their active participation in politics. We call on the government to give top priority to public mobilisation against illiteracy in the next five years by allocating sufficient funding and making optimum use of the national human power capacity, and raising the quality and the number of educational centres, in particular for women.
4.We ask that a national plan in cooperation with the civil society be prepared in order to establish truth-seeking and justice commissions on the national level and plan for bringing justice to the victims (reparations and recognition of the losses suffered by the victims).
5.The government must establish a national and well-reputed national commission with adequate power to implement the National Plan for Transitional Justice and to enforce the government’s Plan for Peace, Reconciliation and Justice in Afghanistan.
6.To provide national and economic security in the society and eliminate violence against women, it is necessary to establish legal and lawful security for women and to endeavour to abolish all discriminatory laws and to enhance a just judiciary.
7.Wars, migration and acts of nature in this country have left millions of father-less children and widows, who head their families. The government’s economic and social plans must give top priority to efforts directed at creating jobs and self-employment opportunities for female heads of families, invalids and the disabled.
8.Mother’s health would guarantee health of the child and the society. Special measures should be taken to improve access of mothers to health and sanitary facilities.
To the international community and participants at the London Conference:
1.Do not support non-transparent talks with armed and belligerent forces. We are concerned that human rights of women might be sacrificed again.
2.Accountability and adherence to international military law; preventing the killing of civilians, most of them being women and children; establishing transparency in the legal framework of operations of the coalition forces.
3.The international community must recommit to the full implementation of the Action Plan for Justice, Reconciliation and Peace, including concerted action towards making the Advisory Panel meaningful and productive.
4.Recognise the relationship between impunity and persistent human rights violations that undermine efforts to achieve poverty reduction, equitable and sustainable socioeconomic development and democratisation.
5.Support fundamental improvements in women’s life through establishment of the ground for their employment, autarky and economic independence.
6.Emphasise and support anti-illiteracy plans.
7.Support gender-sensitive planning and national programmes.
8.Growth and development of Afghanistan will be possible with consideration for social justice, human rights and democracy. Therefore, we call on the international community to give full support to women’s rights in all areas.
List of organisations supporting the 50% Campaign:
Political Participation Committee of Women of Afghanistan, National Union of Women of Afghanistan, Armanshahr Foundation/OPEN ASIA, Human Rights Education Centre for Women, Civil Society Assembly of Afghanistan, Solidarity for Justice Institute, Women’s World periodical, daily 8 Sobh, Today’s Afghan Women’s Institute, Social-Cultural Studies Centre, Salam Institute, Kabul Young People’s Centre, Institute for Support of Destitute Women of Afghanistan, Nawa Institute, Peace Outlet for Women of Afghanistan, Afghan Women toward Development, Sorush Mellat periodical.
Contact the 50% Campaign:
www.campaign50darsad.blogfa.com
campaign50darsad@gmail.com