Claudia Fuentes Julio, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, has said that lasting peace in Afghanistan cannot be achieved without the participation of women and girls.
She made the remarks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly during a meeting with Nasir Ahmad Faiq, acting head of Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, and a number of women’s rights activists.
The meeting highlighted the importance of women’s participation in education and society, as well as in decisions about Afghanistan’s future.
Fuentes Julio stressed that no society can achieve lasting stability, prosperity or justice while half its population is denied education, participation and a role in decision-making.
Participants also emphasized that women’s voices, leadership and rights in Afghanistan must be at the heart of discussions about the country’s future. They said women’s meaningful participation is essential to lasting peace, social cohesion and long-term development.
During the meeting, Afghan women’s rights activist Maqdasa Ahmadzai said: “We firmly believe that no society can achieve lasting stability, prosperity or justice while half its population is denied education, participation and decision-making.”
She added that the voices, leadership and rights of Afghan women must remain central to all discussions about the country’s future.
According to Ahmadzai, women’s meaningful participation is not only a human rights issue; it is also essential to achieving lasting peace, social cohesion and long-term development.
Since returning to power, the de facto authorities have imposed widespread restrictions on women’s education, employment, movement and participation in public life.
