Mediothek Balkh (Mualana Peace House) organized an event to mark the International Women’s Day on 10 March 2021. More than 100 participants including representatives of government agencies, members of civil society organizations, academics, women rights advocates, leaders of youth groups, students and citizens participated in the event.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Mualana Peace House coordinator, Saber Naqshbandi, acknowledged the financial support of the German Cooperation with Afghanistan for this event and other similar future events by Mualana Peace in Balkh. Mr. Naqshbandi talked about the importance of marking the International Women’s Day at the juncture of time given the ongoing peace talks and the role of women in the peace negotiation, stressing that women must have their voices in the peace negotiation.
Hosai Ahmadi, a regional coordinator for the Rule of Law Project (GIZ) in Mazar-e-Sharif, shed light on GIZ’s programs for women economic and social empowerment in various section from manufacture to agriculture, industry, education, capacity building, and professional development and to marketing… she reiterated that GIZ is committed to continuing its help of Afghan women to stand on their women feet and ensure they are treated as equal partners in all spheres of social life.
Ahmad Shahin Ahmadi, an advisor to the Development Commission of (BMZ) in Mazar-e-Sharif, talked about Germany’s cooperation with Afghanistan adding that the Federal Republic of Germany has been providing 430 million Euros annually to Afghanistan since 2010 and all this assistance will be provided by the German Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economic Development after assessing the needs in Afghanistan.
Mahbouba Zazi, a member of a specialized peace study group, talked about the situation of women in Afghanistan from a historic point of view focusing on the past one hundred years and the learns to overcoming today’s challenges facing women.
She says that Afghan women endured great hardships throughout recent history caused by social misconceptions, poverty, patriarchy, violence and lack of awareness, adding that they are however not represented and sidelined in social and political spheres and this needs to be changed.
“King Amanuallah Khan was the first ruler to provide c chance for women participation in social and political and educational matters, while women went through their darkest days during Mujahideen and Taliban rule,” she added.
She called the past two decades the most promising time for women in Afghanistan and their participation and representation in political, social, economic and cultural spheres but she and Afghan women across the country have valid fear of the current peace negotiation and the future state of women in the country.
A panel discussion of experts and women rights advocates provided an opportunity for the more than 100 participants to ask questions and share their views on the topics including current state of women, developments and future prospects. The even concluded with a life concert and celebration.
