AREU Director Dr Orzala Nemat said, “Today is the International Day of Peace and there is a particular interest on this day in countries that are burning in the fires of war, and unfortunately Afghanistan has been experiencing violence, war and discrimination, against everyone, particularly women as they are more vulnerable and oppressed.”

“The International Day of Peace, the 20th Anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the ongoing peace negotiations in Doha, are three remarkable occasions and we are pleased to launch a series of four sessions highlighting women’s political participation and the first session that took place today focused on the role of women in the peace efforts,” Nemat added.

“Women and girls have taken the brunt of conflict, so why do we continue to see peace and women’s rights framed as a trade-off? They are not at odds”, said Dr. Habiba Sorabi, a member of the Peace Negotiations Team. “The women of Afghanistan are clear – peace must mean peace for all Afghans and must not come at the expense of the rights of the women.”