Author: Sayed Hussain Hussainy

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…

Compromising women’s rights during the peace talks has raised public concerns. Many activists urge the government negotiating team to safeguard women’s rights including the right to education and work in their discussion with the Taliban. Speaking to CSHRN, Mr. Rashid mentioned education as the inalienable right of women, which is guaranteed by the country’s national law. CSHRN: Do you think the Afghan negotiating team in the peace talks will stand for this right? Rashid: The negotiations require extensive discussions and debates, which has raised public concerns over the inability of the Afghan negotiating team members to safeguard this right and the other achievements gained in the last two decades. CSHRN: What are other concerns with regard to women’s rights that should be addressed in the peace talks? Rashid: women’s social and political participation is a critical point, as well as the public execution that is being regularly carried out by the Taliban must be stopped now and forever. CSHRN: Given the Taliban’s nature, do you thing the peace talks will still pay off? Rashid: I think the Taliban’s view of women has changed to some extent. They now understand the important role of women in public life and the right to education. And yet, they may still oppose certain women’s rights and impose restrictions on women’s access to education. CSHRN: How will the Taliban’s presence in power affect women’s activities? Rashid: The Taliban have changed to some extent. The group now knows the critical role of women in development processes, which has been enshrined in the country’s national compacts and international legal documents to which Afghanistan is a state party. Therefore, any opposition by the Taliban will not be acceptable by others. CSHRN: What should be done to support peace efforts? Rashid: Civil society activists and other institutions…

Criticizing the poor quality of negotiations between the government and the Taliban, some experts call the government's position on defending what is accepted as a red line, unstable. In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Hussaini said that the red lines set by the government fluctuate and turn greener every day, making him less optimistic about the government’s position to stand for a red line.CSHRN: Tell us more about your assessment of the peace talks.Hussaini: The essence of having a negotiation is good and has been welcomed by the national and international community, but unfortunately its technical and political problems are worrying. It is concerning when the Taliban insist on some presuppositions they had in the past.CSHRN: What presuppositions do you mean?Hussaini: Presuppositions regarding democracy and elections. The group also places little importance on women and disregards human rights values. All of this shows that the Taliban are still pursuing the same Islamic Emirate views, with only a slight change in their dealings with the United States.CSHRN: Do you think that the negotiations with this group will succeed?Hussaini: I think that this negotiation is not about sustainable peace, development, good governance, or reviving the nation’s trust. Rather, it is a project set up with some internal and external groups. Otherwise, how do countries that claim to be defenders of human rights, women's rights, and democracy agree to pressurize the Afghan government to release the 5,000 terrorists who were involved in the killings and bombings, in advance? This shows that, unfortunately, the values that are being raised and highlighted in the dialogue have been ignored.CSHRN: What do you think are the important issues for women that should be emphasized in the negotiations?Hussaini: That women are equal to men, they should be able to participate in decision-making, and should not…

A number of civil society activists believe that peace negotiation is the right decision and a dire need for the people despite its unclear outcome.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Stanekzai said that people are tired of war, and the start of peace talks is an opportunity to get out of this situation. He believes that Afghanistan as a country with a weak economy needs peace, and he hopes for the outcome of the negotiations to ensure peace in the country.CSHRN: What opportunities and hopes have peace talks created for women?Stanekzai: I think one of the most important opportunities in these conversations is that women in the negotiating team can discuss issues about themselves directly with the opposing team.CSHRN: What issues do you think the women on the negotiating team should discuss with the opposing team?Stanekzai: I think they should emphasize the preservation of the achievements of the last two decades and their rights. All team members should also discuss access to justice, minority rights, victims of war, and freedom of expression and defend them as their red lines.CSHRN: If the Taliban were in power, will women still have the current civil liberties?Stanekzai: This is unpredictable, but I hope the Taliban change their views about it; so that all citizens, including women and youth, have the opportunity to achieve their rights.CSHRN: If restrictions on women’s rights were to be imposed in the peace talks, do you think that it would be acceptable?Stanekzai: In recent years, we have made significant achievements, including the adoption and implementation of national and international laws. I do not think that they should be ignored.CSHRN: What are your concerns about the peace talks?My first concern is that peace negotiation’s failure will harm both sides, and it is not clear how many of their…

Women serving in the Afghan security sector have paid dearly for the cause of peace. Therefore, their rights in the military must be protect in any post-peace situation.In interview with CSHRN, Kobra said that women, as the main victims of the armed conflict, should not be deprived of their rights to participate in public affairs and the government must further build up their capacities.CSHRN: Why is women’s presence necessary in the army?Kobra: Like men, women’s presence is also critical in the army. In the Afghanistan context, men cannot carry out women’s duties in the army. Therefore, women’s participation in the army facilitate the work of military operation.CSHRN: Please tell us about your personal experience serving in the Afghan army.Kobra: Sometimes, working in the army has posed serious, life-threatening challenges to me. I received many threats both online and offline asking me to quit army.CSHRN: Given the Taliban’s view of women, will women be still able to work if peace comes?Kobra: In case of sustainable peace, women will be able to work, as many women serve among the Taliban fighters despite the group’s constant denial of this fact.CSHRN: Can women negotiating members well-represent Afghan women?Kobra: No, I don’t think if that happens.CSHRN: What do you expect from the peace talks:Kobra: I look forward to reach sustainable peace in which everyone can take part for the development of the country. For more Interviews The Absence of Civil Society Representatives in the Peace Talks Will Adversely Affect Women November 8, 2020 woman and peace When There is no Peace; “I Changed My Name to Achieve My Dreams” November 4, 2020 woman and peace Under the Shadow of Extremism November 4, 2020 woman and peace Report from the Provincial Conference “Meaningful Presence of Vulnerable Minorities in the Peace Process”, Bamyan Province, October…

One of the concerns about the situation after the peace talks among women activists is the Taliban's insincerity to comply with the terms of any possible peace agreement.“A monitoring mechanism must be put in place by the United Nations and the international community to closely observe the implementation of the peace agreement,” Anisa Sarwari said.CSHRN: What are the pre-conditions for lasting peace?Sarwari: To make durable peace, people across various walks of life must be part of the talks. Social peace must precede political peace. Global experience, including that of Nepal demonstrates effective role of women in maintaining peace efforts.CSHRN: Do you think women now have sufficient presence in peace talks?Sarwari: In my view, quality is more important than quantity. As long as, women in the negotiating members can well-represent women’s rights, it will be effective. According to her, all women, mainly in Herat province, want their rights and gains to be protectedCSHRN: What problems has absence of women from Herat in the peace talks brought about?Sarwari: The growing security deterioration in Herat poses serious threats to women’s life in this province. Most women have been forced to quit their jobs and stay at home. They are under direct threat by the Taliban. She further added that women’s departments have not been previously active at the district level in Herat. However, the problem is now partially solved with the establishment of women’s council in those areas.CSHRN: Does insecurity challenge the work of the women’s department?Yes, insecurity still remains the main challenge on the way to women’s literacy, social awareness. As a result, violence in those district is now widespread, women are humiliated and sold.According to Miss. Sarwari, any political settlement that gives the Taliban undue influence, women would again be marginalized as they had been under the Islamic Emirate.…

In a society where some men are skeptical of women and their abilities, Zohra Nabizada finds her passion in a field that is considered “masculine”. She said that her family and friends were not supporting her decision to study Engineering. To discourage her, people provide reasons such as: “engineering is not for women” or “you cannot find a job in this field”.  Nevertheless, she continued to follow her passion.Ms. Nabizadeh said that the insufficient and sometimes inaccurate information of some people about the field of engineering has always caused this field to have a masculine definition in people’s minds. "People's perception of engineering is usually its physical work aspect, while it is not just physical work,” she said.Ms. Nabizada, successfully studying and working in her favorite field, proves the hypothesis of her family and friends wrong. This is the third year that she has worked as an engineer with a design team in a private company.“Some female engineers lose job opportunities because of negative perception about women’s ability. Some company officials believe that it is difficult to work in this field, and it is reserved for men only” she said.Ms. Nabizadeh added that female engineers can prove their ability to officials by working in the training courses of some institutions and providing work samples, but often such opportunities are not provided for them.As a woman, amid fears of occasional violence in the city, the plight of working women, which is part of the common problems of the city and the people, she also faces limitations.  She added that few people accept a woman working as an engineer, so we cannot travel to the provinces to carry out our activities, and it is impossible for us to even travel to most areas inside Kabul.Another major concern, according to Ms.…