Women’s participation in Afghanistan elections 2013

Envoy affirms UN support for women’s participation in Afghanistan elections

The United Nations will support efforts to ensure women’s involvement in next year’s elections in Afghanistan, the top UN official in the country told women activists in the capital, Kabul, on Wednesday.

Ján Kubiš, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), was speaking during an annual event related to a landmark Security Council Resolution on women’s participation in the political process in post-conflict solutions.

He described the 2014 elections as the “most critical factor” that will influence Afghanistan’s future.

And while respecting that the process must be Afghan-led, the envoy said the UN will not shy away from making its views known in case there are deficiencies.
“And we will do our best to support all the efforts that will enhance the space and possibilities for women to be engaged in the preparations, but also in the conduct of the elections. And of course it means efforts to create openings for women’s participation, both in registration and eventually in voting.” (24″)
Kubiš s said the UN intends to use “every possible opportunity” to enhance women’s participation in processes that contribute to peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.

Dianne Penn, United Nations.
Duration: 1’10″