Qatar affirms support for enhancing Afghan women's participation in peace-making process

By Mehak Arora - September 14, 2022

Juhara Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi

The State of Qatar affirmed its keenness to support the efforts aimed at enhancing the participation of Afghan women in the peacemaking and peacebuilding process, and its aspiration to ensure their right to education and equal employment opportunities, based on its belief in the need to empower women to achieve peace, stability and economic growth, and face social and economic challenges.

This was confirmed in a statement delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar in Geneva Juhara Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi, before the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, during the 'Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Human Rights of Women and Girls in Afghanistan'.

Al Suwaidi noted that Qatar has helped evacuate many Afghan women who felt that they were in danger, for example, the evacuation of members of the "Afghan Dreamers" team - a robotics team consisting of girls aged 15 to 19 - who were safely evacuated to Qatar and were awarded scholarships from Qatar Foundation and Qatar Fund for Development to continue their education at Qatar Foundation universities.

Al Suwaidi pointed out that the State of Qatar, on many occasions, encouraged the Afghan caretaker government and Afghan leaders to form a more inclusive government that represents everyone, while affirming the importance of respecting the rights of Afghan women and enhancing their role in the development of Afghanistan.

Qatar also expressed concern about the suspension of schooling in secondary schools for girls in Afghanistan and the impact of such practices on human rights and development in the country, she added.

The Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva reiterated Qatar's assertion on continued close coordination with all partners in order to enable the Afghan people to address the humanitarian, economic and social challenges, preserve the gains made, and achieve security, peace, stability and development in Afghanistan and the region.

(QNA)