Author: Sayed Hussain Hussainy

Referring to peace talks and expressing concern about the fate of women's rights in post-peace society, a number of scholars believe that not only is it the inalienable right of women to exercise their rights and work in various fields after the peace agreement, but society also needs women to thrive.In an interview with the Civil Society and Human Rights Network (hereafter referred to as “Network”), Sediqi Lalzad said that Afghan women, as citizens of the country, have rights that should be taken into account in a post-peace society.  Lalzad added that women have the right to attend public affairs as their inalienable rights. The society also needs women in the fields of medicine, education and police. It should also be noted that women's activity in society is a right that religion has provided for them.Network: What is your assessment of what has happened so far in the peace talks?Lalzad: We believe in peace in the country; but the success of these talks also depends on how honest the politicians are and how well the countries involved in Afghanistan's affairs can play their part for a better Afghanistan. There is no doubt that achieving peace has its phases and there will be challenges. But if the Afghan government, the Taliban and the institutions that mediate act in good faith, peace can be achieved. The reason for the deadlocks is that Afghanistan has experienced war for forty years and it cannot be ended in two days or two months. But despite being a time-consuming process, it is promising, provided that the international partners play their part well.Network: Given the Taliban’s history, do you think that the negotiations will have a positive outcome?Lalzad: Women are in a different position than they were during the Taliban’s rule. They are aware of…

Born and raised outside Afghanistan, Farzana Nawabi recognized Afghanistan from her father’s memories, which described the difficulties of living especially for women in Afghanistan. As a young actress, she thought that living in such a place, she might not be able to walk outside her house, let alone working. In 2011, when she returned to Afghanistan, it was a much better place than what she had imagined. “Seeing Afghanistan by myself, I found it very different from what I had learned from my father’s memoir and televisions. Girls could go to school, women dressed however they desired, and they had the right to employment, which I enjoyed,” said Ms. Nawabi.She said that she has been interested to become an actress since she was a child and now, she has finally achieved it. She is currently a singer and an actress. She is planning to continue her education in the field of arts. Ms. Farzanah says that her profession is valuable and useful for the development of the country, and she wants to serve the people as much as possible through her profession. “I would like to promote the intellectual development of thousands of girls who have buried their dreams in their hearts because of war and poverty” she said.Although she has achieved her dream and is working in her favorite field, she believes that cinema and the presence of women is not yet completely acceptable to the society. She said that women who work in the cinema often face threats from people.“I was standing on a corner of the main streets of the capital and I was about to cross the road when suddenly a car with several passengers stopped and one of them said in a harsh tone, “are you the one who works on television?” Without…

She is studying International Relations and has worked in several judicial institutions in the country. She will represent Afghan youths at the United Nations Security Council. She said that, as a young Afghan girl, her presence in such an important meeting is of great value, and that she will try to have  a positive  influence on her audience by presenting reasonable and logical speeches and argumentations.In an interview with the CSHRN, Ms. Zadran, Afghanistan’s new youth representative to the United Nations, said that she has planned to present a logical diplomatic speech to convince the UN  for its continuous support towards Afghanistan.CSHRN: What is the mission and responsibility of youth representation at the United Nations?Zadran: Representing youth at the United Nations is a one-year volunteer  mission. During this one year, we communicate with girls and boys from different provinces, online or in person, and gather their views on key issues in the country. We are focused on the issue of peace; because its importance overshadows all other issues. At the UN meetings, we will present the views of the youth written in a  statement. Eventually, the response of the participants at the forum will be shared with the youths. Another main responsibility is to advocate for youth-related policies reforms including reducing youth unemployment, and improving quality of lives of youth.CSHRN: How can youth’s presence benefit the peace talks?The negotiating team is very political and is influenced by the government. I think that in this political game, youths are under-represented. Unfortunately, the negotiating team members are not sympathetic to the people, and act based on the government’s plans.CSHRN: What is your prediction of peace outcome?Zadran: At this point, we should not leap to any conclusions. A positive or negative result cannot be ensured.  However, I must say that there…

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 have…

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 in danger of being ignored…

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 their product.Network: As a businesswoman, what is your…

Afghan women lives have been affected from every aspect during the Taliban’s era making them more concerned than other citizens about the outcome of peace talks. “Everyone suffered in some way during the dark era of Taliban and war and violence is continuing to be witnessed with their presence. We look forward to end it.” said Ms. Mashal in an interview with CSHRN. CSHRN: What is the current situation of women in Kapisa?Mashal Beigi: Although women have made countless commendable progress across the country in the post-Taliban era, I do not suppose enough has been achieved. Women in Kapisa have limited access to their basic rights and only few of them can access their rights and privileges.CSHRN: What have been the activities of Kapisa civil society with regards to peace?Mashal Beigi: In the past one to two months, we held about three programs and gatherings on this issue, which were aimed at educating people, especially women. She added that we should use the experiences of other countries with similar transitions to prepare people mentally.CSHRN: What are the demands of the people of Kapisa for the peace process?People demand transparent dialogue to discuss unemployment among young generation which is one of the reasons for their joining of the opposite group. Coherence in the structure of the programs of the High Peace Council and the presence of women in decision-making levels are other demands of people, especially women, in Kapisa. According to her to make sure that people, especially women, do not fall victim of peace process, international guarantees are needed.CSHRN: How do you evaluate the presence of women from Kapisa in various sectors?Mashal Beigi: Gender discrimination is one of the critical concerns that disables women from going to work in their desired sector. Furthermore, some families oppose their daughter’s education and…

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…

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…