Take Action in Solidarity with Afghan Women | No Women No Peace

Take Action in Solidarity with Afghan Women

Ten years ago today, the UK and its allies entered Afghanistan. In 2001, women’s rights were prominently featured in the list of reasons to intervene, however, as the international community prepares to discuss transition out of Afghanistan, women and the issues affecting them are being sidelined from discussions.

Make sure Afghan women's rights aren't ignored

Transition negotiations are already happening. In December, William Hague, the UK Foreign Secretary, will be attending a conference in Bonn in Germany, along with delegates from 90 countries and organisations, to discuss the future of Afghanistan. We need him to use his influence to make sure that women's voices are heard, before, during and after these talks.

Ask him not to trade away women's rights.

While some progress has been made in the past ten years, women still continue to face discrimination and violence in Afghanistan, a country considered to be one of the worst places to be a woman.

We need you to call on the government to ensure that the voices of Afghan women are heard at Bonn and during other peace and transition talks. In the words of the Afghan Women’s Network, "Afghan women have the right, the capacity, and the desire to be involved in transition, peace process, and creating Afghanistan's future". Afghan women are standing up for their rights.

Support them by asking the UK government to ensure that any agreements explicitly call for women’s rights in Afghanistan to be protected not undermined.

Sign our petition to William Hague and write a letter to your MP urging them to raise the issue.

More ways to support Afghan women:

Organise or take part in a candlelit vigil on 31st October: The day marks the anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognises women's role in making peace and calls on countries to support women's rights. In order to show solidarity with Afghan women, and focus attention on what the UK should be doing to support women's rights activists, candlelit vigils will be held throughout the UK and internationally to mark the anniversary of this landmark resolution.

Show your solidarity: Show your support for Afghan women by wearing a green scarf, a symbol of women's rights activism in Afghanistan, and uploading your photo to the wall at www.ch16.org. Add a green scarf twibbon to your Twitter profile and spread the word using the hash-tag #AfghanWomen.

 

Tweet added by Shelagh Daley 07.10.11