Author: Sayed Hussain Hussainy

Afghan women have taken great strides despite many challenges since the fall of the Taliban regime, women’s rights activists believe. And now, they look for their meaningful presence in the peace talks with the Taliban. Talking to CSHRN, Nafisah Danesh stressed on women’s achievements to be further strengthened with a conducive environment for more women’s rights and freedoms after the peace talks. CSHRN: Along with the women’s core achievements, what would be other important points to be brought in during the negotiations? Nafisah: As the main victims of armed conflict, violence must immediately end for women. In addition, their rights to education under a peaceful environment must be protected. CSHRN: Are women, living at the provinces, well-informed of their basic rights? Nafisah: There is a misunderstanding about women’s rights in rural areas. When one talks of basic rights, many rural women become defensive and they threaten us, simply because they are not well-informed of their basic rights. Some women have fallen victims of old-fashioned customs such as forced marriage, especially in Nangarhar, Paktia and Kunar provinces. According to Nafisah, life in urban areas is much comfortable than the rural areas and villages. Therefore, to solve this gap, the government must provide equal opportunities to people living in urban and rural areas. CSHRN: What are your major concerns about the peace agreements? Nafisah: I wish lasting peace. However, most of the talks take place behind closed doors, countries in the region are involved, the peace agreement would be symbolic which will not end violence. In addition, the Taliban’s uncompromising nature will restrict women’s active participation in public life. CSHRN: What should be the government’s red lines in the talks with the Taliban? Nafisah: Women’s access to education and public affairs must be one of the redlines as educated women…

Women’s rights activists are concerned about imposing restrictions on women by Taliban that might be supported by the government. They say that restrictions are not acceptable for them.In an interview by CSHRN, Barakzai said that if the fundamental rights of the people are respected and men and women are treated equally before the law, the Taliban’s presence in the next government would not be so concerning. However, the absence of a guarantee for lasting peace is definitely concerning, and peace at every cost would not be acceptable.CSHRN: Do women in the negotiating team have the capacity and ability to defend Afghan women citizen’s rights?Barakzai: The peace talks are happening behind closed doors and the details are not shared with people. Therefore, we must wait until the outcome of the talks is announced to see that to what extent the government’s negotiating team has been able to defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.She said that the people of Afghanistan, especially women, must be reassured that their fundamental rights are not being ignored and that women’s rights are the red line.CSHRN: Network: What other issues should be the government's red line?Barakzai: All basic rights of citizens, including the right to education, the right to work, civil liberties, and the right to participate in associations, must be the red line of the government's negotiating team. Afghan women are aware of their rights. They want to have the right to work after the peace agreement.CSHRN: Given the Taliban’s view of women, do you think that they will respect women’s rights?Barakzai: Unofficial reports indicate that Taliban are emphasizing gender segregation in schools, universities, and workplaces that are not possible by the current situation. Taliban's non-abiding by their commitments on several occasions reveals the fact of their unchangeable view which is definitely…

Before and during the negotiations, various concerns have been raised by the citizens, including the preservation of the republic system.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Ishaqzadah said that civil society activists had shared their messages with the government before the initiation of the start of the negotiations. “In the peace Consultative Jirga, which was held to gather the views of the people, the common message was that, as a first step, the current system, for which thousands of security forces have been sacrificed, should be maintained so that the achievements of other citizens are preserved” said Mr. Ishaqzada.CSHRN: How do you think the Taliban's participation in power will affect the civil activities and human rights of the citizens?Is’haqzadah: In my opinion, with the Taliban’s supposed participation in power, Afghanistan should not return to the past. Favorable terms should be provided for the civil society activists and those who carry out voluntary activities. Even if the Taliban come to power, civic activities must increase, and civil society activists must be supported to make the voices of the oppressed citizens heard. Members of the negotiating team, appointed on behalf of the Afghan government and people to negotiate with the Taliban, should have serious discussions in order to provide more and better opportunities for women and civil society activists after the peace agreement.CSHRN: What do you think should be discussed as the most important issues with regards to women in the peace talks?Is’haqzadah: In the past few years, suitable environment has been provided for women’s education and social activities. For this reason, one of the issues related to women that should be discussed is their right to education and employment.CSHRN: Do you think any restrictions imposed on women’s rights is acceptable?Is’haqzada: No restriction on women’s rights is acceptable. On the…

The initiation of peace negotiation with the Taliban has created both hope for lasting peace and fear of imposing restrictions on women’s rights. Women and civil society activists say that the government negotiating team should not accept such restrictions.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Danishyar said that women’s rights should be one of the main subjects to be properly discussed in the peace talks. He added that women’s rights to education, active participation in political, civil, and social sphere should not face any limitations. Efforts should be made to appreciate and support their achievements.  CSHRN: How much do you think that the presence of women in peace talks affects the position of the Taliban?Danishyar: In my opinion, the Taliban are not satisfied with the presence of women in the negotiating team or even with the participation of female journalists during the peace talks. Also, the presence of women in the government after the peace agreement is not acceptable for them, but due to the pressure of the international community, they are almost forced to accept their presence.CSHRN: How will the presence of the Taliban in power affect the activities of civil society?Danishyar: I believe that the Taliban cannot withhold citizen’s civil liberties and freedom of thought and expression. Conflicts may arise sporadically, which I think can be resolved in accordance with the wisdom of civil rights activists, and their activities will continue. CSHRN: How can peace talks be used as an opportunity for Afghan women?Danishyar: Women face many challenges, including security concerns. For this reason, women cannot carry out their civic and educational activities in a safe environment. With the establishment of peace, these challenges can turn into opportunities. Additionally, with the realization of peace, girls and women who are currently deprived of education because of conflicts can enjoy…

Disbelief in the peace process and a change in the perspectives of the Taliban towards women increases among Afghan citizens. As the Taliban’s attacks continue after they signed a peace agreement with the United States, many  Afghans stress the need for an assurance that the Taliban will not violate the terms of the agreement after peace talks with the government.“Experience from the Taliban-US peace agreement shows that Taliban are not trustworthy. They think only of their own benefits and the fact that they have made the release of prisoners a pre-condition for the negotiations shows that their aim is to return to war.” Ms. Bashiri added that the Taliban would continue to violate their commitments until they are pressured by the international community.CSHRN: Do you think there is the possibility of getting a commitment from the Taliban?Bashiri: The international community and countries involved in the peace negotiations must assure the people of Afghanistan that the deal will be respected.CSHRN: Do you think there has been a change in the Taliban's perspective with regards to women?Bashiri: According to the women who participated in the previous talks, the Taliban have positive view of women's right to work and education, but in practice we have not seen any significant changes. According to Ms. Bashiri, issues such as women's rights and their political participation.should be discussed in the peace negotiations. In general, women should not experience the dark days of Taliban era once again.CSHRN: What is the biggest problem that the Taliban’s presence in Ghor has caused for women?Bashiri: The Taliban’s summary trials are a great terror that we have been witnessing in this province for years. Rakhshaneh's brutal stoning and shooting of Aziza is an example of dozens of cases that have unfortunately taken place near the provincial capital. On the…

The Taliban’s continued killings and bloodshed following a peace deal with the United States of America, has turned the group to an unreliable partner. Experts believe that guarantees offered by the group to fulfill its commitments under a peace agreement in particular with regard to women’s rights is not sufficient. Farid Ahmad Amiri, a socio-political activist, told the Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN) that the only way to ensure Taliban do not violate their post-negotiation commitments, especially on women's rights, international community must offer guarantee. "The agreement that will be signed between the government and the Taliban must also entail signature of international community, international human rights institutions and countries that support democracy and freedoms." Network: Experts believe that there is a difference of opinion between the political leaders of the Taliban and the Taliban on the battlefield, will the negotiations reach a favorable outcome? Amiri: I think it is naive to expect a lasting peace after the peace deal. A fragile peace may be established, but the conflict may still continue as some members of the Taliban may either form new fronts or join other terrorist groups due to the differences of opinion among them. Network: What do you mean by the differences of opinion among Taliban members? Amiri: Some numbers of the Taliban are extreme and view conflict as the only viable option, while others are committed to peace. Some of the Taliban fighters are foreign nationals who fight the government of Afghanistan, will continue to fight by joining the ISIS or other terrorist groups. However, a large number of Taliban members who are under the influence of their political leaders, if properly managed, could join the peace settlement. Women's rights and freedom of expression are among the values ​​that Mr. Amiri believes are…

Security has been long recognized as a threat to the working lives of different segments of the Afghan society. It has been the main obstacle to the development of many citizens, and businesswomen in Herat are no exception. In an interview with the CSHRN, Nafasgol Jami, a businesswoman from Herat, said that security concerns often discourages women to work. “Women working in the food or carpet weaving sector cannot travel to the villages, neither can rural women relocate their businesses to the city” Ms. Jami adds that businesswomen do not enjoy the same opportunity as businessmen do. And, they cannot move from one province to another to carry out their economic activities.   Network: Aside from business, what other activities do you do? Jami: I have been involved in various women-related fields for the past fifteen years. Currently, I have twenty-five employees in my company, and around one hundred people are benefited from its activities. Previously, I was in charge of eighty women working in the food processing, carpet waving, handicrafts and embroidery sectors. Network: Apart from security problems, what are other problems businesswomen face in Herat? Jami: The traditional structure of society and the negative attitude of men towards women's employment are major obstacles to the development of businesswomen in Herat. Men do not treat women as equal to realize the fact that women have the ability and talent to manage businesses and work for the improvement of the economy of their family and country. According to Ms. Jami, the government has not kept its promises to provide suitable working conditions and assist women in improving their businesses. She adds that women businessmen are not in a good position in terms of lack of facilities and meeting their economic needs; and there is no suitable market for…

Women with disabilities have always sought government attention on a number of issues, including the provision of educational facilities. As the peace talks heats up, women with disabilities in Balkh are calling on the government to involve them in the process.In an interview with the CSHRN, Parvaneh Sama Samadi, head of the Social Association of Women with Disabilities in Balkh, said that women with disabilities are the main victims of war, because it has maimed them. They now call on the government to include their representatives in the negotiating team.CSHRN: How optimistic are you about the outcome of the peace talks?If the talks are not behind closed doors, and the voices of women—especially women with disabilities—are heard, we can hold out hope for positive results.This organization is concerned that women’s effort might go in vain. According to Ms. Samadi, women with disabilities are more worried than anyone else about their achievements to be compromised.CSHRN: What is the main reason for women's disability in Balkh?Although the government has divided them into war and non-war inflected disabilities having different privileges, war is considered as one main cause. While disavowing this dichotomy, Ms. Samadi believes that non-war driven factor can also be the main driver for women’s disabilities in one way or another. If a pregnant woman, for example, does not have access to required facilities such as health care, clinic and hospitals in a conflict situation, child’s disability with psychiatric condition will be the dire consequence. CSHRN: What privileges do disabled people have?Samadi: People with war disabilities receive a salary of sixty thousand Afghanis a year from the government, but people with non-war disabilities receive no benefits. She added that besides facing many other challenges, women with disabilities are always ignored and isolated and by their families and society as a…

Experts believe that, in peace negotiations with the Taliban, more general concerns should be agreed upon first. They maintain that democratic and human rights values are among the elements that if Taliban respect, women’s right will be available as a sub-element. "It is not yet evident whether or not the Taliban will agree with us on respecting values such as democracy, human rights, equality, cultural diversity and religion. If so, women's rights including their political participation in power will be attainable as a subset of these values." says Mohammad Yasin Negah. CSHRN: Do you think the Taliban's view has changed about women?Negah: From my perspective, Taliban views have not changed on many issues including women rights, democracy, election, republic system and equality. This group is still radical, extreme and violent. It would be naive to believe that Taliban’s views of women rights and democratic values have changed.CSHRN: It is probable that in order to reach a peace deal with the Taliban, the government may accept some restrictions with regard to women’s rights. What restrictions do you think they would be?Negah: As supporters of the government of Afghanistan, we must defend democracy, election and women’s rights as our red lines. We are in a rightful position and we must not retreat in any way. If the ransom process begins, the restrictions will increase. The Taliban may long for hoisting the flag of their Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan and wish to re-establish a violent and lawless government. Therefore, we have to fight such a mindset and reject any restriction.CSHRN: Do you think the government team has the necessary ability to negotiate?Negah: The negotiation process requires negotiation knowledge and skills including the art ofChallenges the opposite side and maneuvering delicate margins. However, I believe that the government’s negotiating team does not…

Some women activists believe that the participation of women as half the population of the country is very important in the peace process and they should play a constructive role in it. According to these activists, peace cannot be achieved without a meaningful presence of women in the peace talks. In an interview with the CSHRN, Ms. Nezami said that despite being capable individuals, women in the negotiating team are not deeply involved in decisive and important issues. But given that there are no women in the Taliban team, women's membership in the government's negotiating team is a positive step. CSHRN: Is the presence of women in the negotiating team satisfactory in terms of quantity? The number of women in the government’s negotiating team is not enough, but we support them as the voice and the representatives of Afghan women. If this small number of representatives can defend the political and social rights of women, we can say they are a strong/capable team. CSHRN: What is women’s demand from peace talks? Nezami: Women should not be deprived of education, neither should their political and social rights be ignored. Women should be able to actively participate in society; a businesswoman, for instance, must be allowed to pursue her business activities. In general, women should enjoy equal rights as men, because their activities are equally important for the progress and development of the country. CSHRN: What issues should be the government's red lines in peace talks? Nezami: The achievements of recent years, including democracy, women rights to education and employment, and their active participation in the political and social sphere should be the government’s red line. CSHRN: How much do you think the Taliban's involvement in the government will affect the activities of women's rights activists? Nezami: There is a…