KABUL, Afghanistan — For the first time in Afghanistan’s history, a female judge has been nominated to sit on the country’s highest court. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nominated Anisa Rassouli to the High Council of the Supreme Court on Sunday in Kabul, according to government officials and local news reports. If confirmed by the country’s parliament, Rassouli would be the first woman to sit on the nine-member tribunal. Her nomination is expected to be submitted to Afghan lawmakers … [Read more...]
“Afghanistan has to take its future in its own hands”
May 21, 2013 by
“Afghanistan has to take its future in its own hands” declares President Hamid Karzai President Hamid Karzai thanked the Director-General for UNESCO’s contribution to Afghanistan, notably in the fields of education and culture. “I congratulate you for your leadership to stand up for girls’ education. Through your initiative for Malala, I hope you will continue to speak up for the education of girls of Afghanistan and Pakistan”, which he defined as most challenging. Affirming that gender … [Read more...]
“Building on Progress in Afghanistan: 2014 and Beyond”
May 14, 2013 by
Washington, D.C. – A discussion on "Building on Progress in Afghanistan: 2014 and Beyond” was held in Washington today at an event organized in partnership between the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), offering a big picture of the country’s current situation and development challenges. A similar briefing with Afghanistan partners was organized on 9 May in New York, co-hosted by the Afghan Mission to the United Nations and the … [Read more...]
Women & Children deaths pose ‘serious concern’ – Take Action!
April 9, 2013 by
Afghan children at play. Photo: UNAMA/Aurora Verceles Alambra April 2013 – The United Nations today voiced “serious concern” over the deaths of at least 10 Afghan children and a woman, and injuries to seven others in an armed clash during a joint Afghan-NATO operation against the Taliban in eastern Kunar province. “The Afghan National Security Forces and the international military forces should take all measures aimed at preventing harm to civilians during military operations, including … [Read more...]
Afghan Women Taking Action in Business
March 5, 2013 by
MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan (ILO News) – Afghans have been immersed in a conflict that has affected every aspect of their ordinary lives. For Khalida Yaqobi, the conflict has been an obstacle, not an obstruction. After graduating in engineering from Balkh University, she secretly studied English at a time when women seeking an education risked being executed by the Taliban. “I was studying English in a private house, without textbooks or notebooks, going in a burqa to a hidden English … [Read more...]
Afghanistan – WFP Provides Nutritional Support to Kuchi Women
February 1, 2013 by
With their brightly-coloured clothes and facial tattoos, Kuchi women from the traditional nomads of Afghanistan stand out in a sea of burkas. But the nutritional challenges these women face are similar to those of all Afghan women. KANDAHAR - At a health center in Kandahar city, a mass of women in burkas wait to receive food from WFP on a sunny day in January. Against the backdrop of faded green, blue and beige burkas, one group of women stands out, dressed in brightly-colored dresses … [Read more...]
Hillary Diane Rodham (Clinton) – WOMAN of ACTION™
January 8, 2013 by
A Celebration of Women™ is elated and honored to Celebrate the Life of one of North America's most profound activist. She has been a lawyer, a mother, a sister, a wife, a woman politician and female change maker in history. Her efforts in areas of education, healthcare and human rights are endless; always working diligently for positive change, stating that 'women's rights are human rights'. She is regarded as the most openly empowered presidential wife in American history, save … [Read more...]
Afghanistan, project zeroes in on gender inequality
November 21, 2012 by
THE AFGHAN MINISTER OF WOMEN'S AFFAIRS, HUSSN BANU GHAZANFAR, AND UNDP'S ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR, REBECA GRYNSPAN, SIGN A NEW GENDER EQUALITY PROJECT, KABUL. (PHOTO: UNDP) Kabul — On a two-day visit to Afghanistan this week, UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan launched a US$ 30 million project to promote gender equality by improving access to legal services and economic opportunities for women as well as strengthening the Government’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ efforts to improve … [Read more...]
Foundation for Afghanistan Holds Its Inaugural Dinner and Award Ceremony
September 12, 2012 by
WASHINGTON, DC - September 12, 2012: The Foundation for Afghanistan will hold its Inaugural Dinner and Award Ceremony at The Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC on Wednesday, September 12th at 6:00 p.m. to further support Afghans to fully materialize their potential and take the responsibility of rebuilding a stable, pluralistic society. Founder and chairman of the Foundation, former Afghan Ambassador Said Tayeb Jawad, will host the event. His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, … [Read more...]
Afghan women make voices heard at Bonn Conference
January 1, 2012 by
The International Afghanistan Conference Afghan President Hamid Karzai (L) and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrive for the 10th annual international Afghanistan conference on December 5, 2011 in Bonn, Germany. Representatives from a variety of countries are meeting to discuss the future of Afghanistan, despite the absence of delegates from Pakistan following an incident in which NATO forces killed 24 Pakistani border guards recently. In a recent interview Karzai stated … [Read more...]
Embassy Hosts Reception in Honor of Mrs. Laura Bush
June 11, 2011 by
Embassy Hosts Reception in Honor of Mrs. Laura Bush H.E. Ambassador Hakimi and Mrs. Hakimi hosted a reception welcoming First Lady; Mrs. Laura Bush, members and supporters of US-Afghan Women’s Council to the Embassy on Thursday, June 9. Ambassador Hakimi gave a warm welcome to those in attendance and thanked Mrs. Laura Bush for all her efforts and contributions toward advocating women’s rights in Afghanistan, calling her a “friend” to the Afghan women. Ambassador Hakimi recognized … [Read more...]
AFGHANISTAN – Virginity-related penalties “extremely unfair”.
April 29, 2011 by
AFGHANISTAN: Virginity-related penalties “extremely unfair” Photo: Salma Zulfiqar/IRIN Virginity is not mentioned in the Afghan penal system and other laws, but hundreds of women unfairly face penalties over it (file photo) KABUL, 26 April 2011 (IRIN) - The penalties that Afghan women suffer whenever allegations of pre-marital sex and loss of virginity emerge, including death, are extreme, discriminatory and not in the penal code, activists said. “I saw a woman who was … [Read more...]
Risky climate for women candidates in Afghan elections
April 8, 2011 by
Risky climate for Women Candidates in Afghan elections Political hopeful Robina Jalali represented her country at the Beijing Olympics In a crowded Kabul bazaar, Robina Jalali is campaigning for parliament. In her silk headscarf and make-up, she stands out from the women around her - some dressed head to toe in full burka. Robina Jalali is an unconventional Afghan woman, by any standards. The last time she ran for her country was at the Beijing Olympics - as a sprinter. She is … [Read more...]
