Author: Sayed Hussain Hussainy

The peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban has raised concerns among citizens, especially women. Women activists, including female athletes, have expressed concerns regarding the social and political status of women after the peace agreement, saying that if the rights and freedoms of female athletes are to be ignored in the next government, they will oppose it. Taliban may hinder the activities of women after taking power. However, women will not allow their achievements in terms of their rights and freedoms including sport to be endangered. "We do not have to succumb due to the vague and confusing fantasies of an anti-civilization group. It is better for them to reform themselves and let all citizens achieve their civil rights.” Said Marwa Ahmadzai. CSHRN: As a journalist and as an Afghan citizen, how do you assess the situation of women in the country? Ahmadzai: Women had significant achievements in the post-Taliban era. Many women have realized their dreams. They have access to education in most parts of the country and work in public and private organizations. Some of them are artists and athletes. Afghan women are also present in media and military forces. Therefore, women’s situation is much better than it was two decades ago during the rule of Taliban. Women are aware of their rights and they will put more effort to defend them. Unfortunately, some Afghan women, especially those living in the areas controlled by Taliban, still have no access to their rights and freedoms. CSHRN: What problems do female athletes face right now?Ahmadzai: Unfortunately, due to the traditional and patriarchal society, it is difficult for women to be athletes in Afghanistan. Though several private clubs exist in Kabul, women's situation still is not satisfactory, and we witness the presence of few women in sports teams. Female athletes face…

According to some civil society activists, the low presence of women in the government's negotiating team is one of the signs of the government's distrust of women's political position. The government does not believe in women's equal participation, in contrast to what it always propagates.In an interview by Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN), Mr. Rufi said that “despite having a republican political system, the Afghan government does not believe in democratic values, including women's political participation”. He believes that Afghanistan's republican system and constitution believe in equal participation; however, senior government leaders do not. A few numbers of women are working in governmental administrations less than what number is always claimed. This means that the government does not trust women's abilities. The number of female members of the negotiating team of government makes my claim solid that is considerably less than what women deserve to have. Additionally, almost all cabinet members of the government are headed by males except some less worthful ministries headed by females.  CSHRN: You criticized the number of female members in the cabinet and in the negotiating team; however, some people believe that the over-presence of women representatives in the negotiations may have a negative impact on the Taliban's view of women. What is your opinion in this regard?Rufi: I think women should have meaningful participation. In other words, women who are specialized in Islamic and philosophy studies armed with negotiation skills should be selected in the government’s team so that they impress the Taliban and make them realize that women with having merit are part of the Afghan government team. It is almost two decades that Afghanistan's democratic system has provided equal opportunities for both men and women. These women have the capacity and ability to challenge the Taliban negotiating team through…

Since the beginning of the peace talks, issues related to women has become a matter of concern to many citizens, especially women.In an interview with the CSHRN, Shahrzad Akbar said that it is important for both sides of the peace negotiations to reach a common understanding of the position of women in society. She added that the Taliban need to be aware of the realities of the changes that have taken place in Afghanistan and express their views and suggestions with regards those realities. She believes that both negotiators should remember issues such as: the reality of Afghan society, the international obligations, and the reality of women’s lives in Islamic societies and the state of law in these diverse societies.CSHRN: Do you think that the very presence of women in peace talks will affect the Taliban's view with regards to women?Akbar: It is very important for women to be part of the peace process so that not only their voices are heard and their presence is not denied. Although women’s presence in the negotiations is a very good step, their number is insufficient. I really admire these women, their task is hard and there are pressures on them. However, when it comes to women’s rights, we should expect all members of the negotiating team, not just female representatives, to address women’s legal issues. Women’s right is part of human rights issue and it affects all the people of Afghanistan. With half of the population of the country deprived of their basic rights, the country’s economy, political stability, the growth of the country and its relationship with the world will be affected. Therefore, every issue of women’s rights is directly related to our individual lives.CSHRN: Some believe that if the Taliban impose restrictions on women's rights for a peace…

Some experts believe that the current war is not about Afghanistan, it is rather a proxy war. The peace that is currently being discussed in Doha has nothing to do with the citizens of Afghanistan.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Mousavi said that the peace negotiations in Doha has nothing to do with Afghanistan. "Afghanistan's war and peace is a proxy war issue, meaning that Afghanistan has not invaded any country, rather other countries are fighting their battles here. Those who wanted conflict in the region achieved it without being directly involved. The difference between the proxy war of the last fifteen to twenty years and the proxy war of the 1980s and 1990s is that in the recent war all involved parties are assisted and strengthened by the United States. This is not a war of the Afghan people, and the only connection it has with the citizens is the killing, the destruction, the economic, social and psychological problems. This war is in the best interests of the United States and its allies, and unfortunately Afghanistan is in not in a good strategic position.CSHRN: What do you mean by the best interests you mentioned?Mousavi: Two things are needed for the arsenals and the economy of the West as a whole. One is that there must always be war zones around the world for these weapons factories to operate and sell. The largest and most profitable industry in the world is the war industry. The weapons used in Afghanistan are all made abroad, and the mines used here are made in European countries. So one of the main goals of Western economy is that there has to be war and conflict zone. Around 1980, there were about 64 war-torn areas. Now the number has risen to more…

The cohesion of women as a single voice with a common goal is one of the topics that has been discussed many times by active women. This issue is an influential factor in achieving women’s rights.In an interview with the CSHRN, Zainab Movahed said that women must be united to achieve their rights. “The political, social, cultural, and economic presence of women, especially in the last decade and half, have been provided for them by others and less by their hard work. We must achieve cohesion and create a nationwide movement to represent a single voice. Division among women poses threat to peace.” Said Mrs. Movahed. CSHRN: Do you think there is the capacity to create large and inclusive movements among Afghan women?Movahed: I think that women’s rights are stuck in mafia projects. Also, women leaders have not been able to create real cohesion, which makes us unconfident about their ability to create a movement.  Women in the negotiating team have proposed solutions for achieving women’s rights that are contrary to the indigenous and traditional beliefs of our society which may cause sensitivities. In other word, they have suggested foreign models that are not socially acceptable to the people. In fact, people react to external phenomena. However, women can create influential movements if they work with sincerity and not because of political or economic intentions. Additionally, the Taliban claim that all Afghan women could not be reduced to women working in the media and politics which is a valid criticism. Most Afghan women do not have access to education or basic health care facilities. The people in power should be held accountable for their failure to create cohesion among all Afghans.CSHRN: Given the Taliban history, especially with regards to women, do you think that the peace talks will reach…

Some civil society activists in Helmand province say that the first and the most important issue that the negotiating parties in the peace talks must agree on is the establishment of a ceasefire. Only after a ceasefire  they can discuss other issues.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Hamidi said that ceasefire is a priority and the international community must put pressure on the Taliban to achieve it.CSHRN: What is your assessment of what has happened so far in the peace talks? Can we hope for positive outcome?Hamidi: In the beginning of the negotiations, there were high expectations; but increased violence diminishes hopes for positive outcome. In my opinion, the parties involved in the peace talks do not have the capacity to reach a political agreement and the disagreement may continue for some time. Overall, the negotiating teams’ inflexibility, unrealistic approaches, and the escalation of violence have reduced hopes for achieving peace.CSHRN: In your opinion, given the history of the Taliban, what will be the consequence of negotiation with them?Hamidi: The Taliban’s strategy is based on violence. Without a peace agreement, they will continue to fight, as they have for twenty years.  The government of Afghanistan is unable to continue the war and the international community has no obligation to eliminate the Taliban. Regarding  women, it should be said that this group does not accept women's rights and opposes their rights through its interpretation of religion, which  women will not accept this. Even some women in Taliban-dominated areas are concerned about  their rights. In cities, women can advocate for their rights, and it  is not possible for women in the rural areas. If all Afghan women could not advocate for equal rights, they would want peace, freedom of expression, and the right to work.CSHRN: Can the presence of…

One of the issues that civil society and women's rights activists have always emphasized as important and fundamental issues to be discussed in peace talks is the protection of the fundamental rights of citizens. According to these activists, peace talks should be based on respect for human rights.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Parwani said that the protection of the fundamental rights of the people must be the red line of the government, and the dialogue must be based on the acceptance of the undeniable rights of the citizens. "The protection of the fundamental rights of citizens is enshrined in the constitution for freedom of expression and thought, the right to education and employment; and there is no more complete document to respect human rights.” Said Mr Parwani.CSHRN: What is your assessment of the peace talks?Parwani: negotiations should replace guns and bloodshed. Also, the Taliban should be given the opportunity to express their demands. Even if the peace talks fail, it can still change the behaviour and beliefs of both parties.CSHRN: How can the presence of women affect the peace talks?Parwani: The presence of women in the composition of the team, especially knowledgeable and experienced women, can have two messages. First, women, as half the population of the country, should be present at such an important event. Second, the absence of female representatives in the Taliban’s team shows how they eliminate the presence of women in an important event. Moreover, female representatives can discuss and defend their demands, achievements, and changes in their rights and freedoms and to make them understand that today women in Afghanistan are capable of raising their voice to protect their rights in peace talks with men.CSHRN: Do you think the negotiating team has the capacity to defend women's rights?Parwani: It will be…

One of the most important requests from the media and journalists to the government regarding the peace talks was the presence of one of their representatives in the talks as an observer. According to some media officials, their main challenge is that their representative is not present as an observer in Doha, and the talks are being held behind closed doors.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Mujib Khalwatgar said that although the government had promised to make the details of the negotiations available to the public through the media, it has not happened. “On the day of the Consultative Jirga, the president promised to share peace negotiation’s detail with people through media. Unfortunately, the Afghan government ignored the demand of the media.” Said Mr. Khalwatgar. He added that the government’s approach to defending its position has been weak and has failed to defend values such as freedom of expression.CSHRN: What has been your assessment of the negotiations so far?Khalwatgar: One of the issues that became clear at the opening of the talks was that the position of the Taliban has not changed and they still emphasize on the Islamic government. Another issue of concern is that the Taliban still call the Afghan government illegitimate and do not recognize it. These cases show that if the negotiations do not fail, their success will be very time consuming, an almost impossible to undertake?. Also, the government team negotiate from a weak position with the Taliban.CSHRN: What exactly do you mean by weak position?Khalwatgar: the government team is implicitly pleading to the Taliban as if they need them to achieve peace. This complicates the situation.CSHRN: What effect will the low presence of women on the negotiating team have on women's rights issues?Khalwatgar: In peace talks, I think the number of…

A number of officials from women's organizations say that the government must stand up for women's rights in peace talks; because peace in which women's rights are ignored is not acceptable.In an interview with the CSHRN, Ms. Rahimi said that the government’s position should be based on defending women’s rights. She added that achieving peace should not be at the expense of neglecting women’s rights and gains. They do not want to be confined to their houses, like twenty years ago.CSHRN: What is your assessment of the negotiations so far?Rahimi: In my opinion, the negotiation is not acceptable to women because women are concerned about their rights and their achievements. They are concerned that women might be deprived of their rights and relapse to the past. Although we are not satisfied with the negotiation’s slow progress, in a conversation we had with one of the female members of the negotiating team, she assured us of progress and commitment to defending women’s rights.CSHRN: Given the Taliban’s background, especially with regards to women, do you think that the negotiations will entail a positive outcome?Rahimi: In my opinion, the government's peace agreement with the Taliban may be a covert deal between the Taliban and the United States in which women's rights may be ignored. On the other hand, the Taliban's view of women has not changed and there is no hope of changing it.CSHRN: In your opinion, given the Taliban's view of women, what will be the situation of women after the agreement if the negotiations lead to an agreement?Rahimi: If the Taliban assure commitment to women's rights and the international community guarantees it, perhaps the situation will be such that women's rights and achievements will be preserved and women will be able to work in different sectors as they do…

The women’s narrative campaign aims at gathering and sharing stories of women from all over the country to find their common pains. The idea sparked based on the claims that there is a difference of view between urban and rural women with regards to their demands and their definition of constitutional rights. In an interview with CSHRN, Atiyah Mehraban said that the Taliban and even some foreign countries claim that only urban women are concerned about violation of women’s rights and their meaningful representation in the peace talks. Therefore, they initiated the campaign to find out the validity of such claim. CSHRN: What is the ultimate result of the campaign? Mehraban: We have worked on the fundamental rights of women, the first of which was the right to education of women and was highly appreciated. We also worked on the right to work, civic activity and political participation. Currently we are working on the rights of war victims. We found that most women are aware of their right to education. However, since issues such as political participation and civic activism have not been discussed in many areas, they are less known to women. In general, according to our findings, no woman in any province has expressed disregard for the right to political participation and the right to education. CSHRN: How can your campaign act as an effective movement for achieving their rights? Mehraban: Unfortunately, in the last two decades, efforts to protecting women’s rights have been mostly treated as projects. Although some significant progress is achieved, sincere efforts have not been made to ensure preserving women’s rights. For instance, the fact that a woman in the capital of a province is not aware of her fundamental rights indicates that efforts to protect women’s rights have been superficial. Though…