The next government should ensure women's larger presence in the government and recognize the importance of women's role in the peace negotiation process, chairperson of Parliamentary Commission on Women's Affairs said on Wednesday in a forum for civil institutions and presidential candidates.
Presidential candidates highlighted women’s contribution in restoration of peace and security in the country and stated that women's rights be institutionalized in the country.
Additionally, civil society institutions shared the challenges confronted by women in the country and asked the presidential candidates to prioritize women's rights in their agendas.
"Women's presence in governmental institutions is quite insignificant as compared to that of men," Parliament’s women committee chairperson Fawzia Kofi said. "It needs to be extended."
Six of the eleven candidates had been invited to the forum and only three of them, including second vice president to Zalmai Rasoul, attended the meeting.
Civil society institutions asked the candidates to clarify their stance on women's role in the peace process and women's participation in the next government.
“Women have a crucial role in bringing peace and stability in the country," Presidential Candidate Qutbuddin Hilal said. "They constitute half of the human community; they can persuade the men to lay down arms."
“We need women's suggestions to expedite the peace process and bring stability,” Presidential Candidate Hedayat Amin Arsala added.
The candidates believe that in order to overcome the issues faced by women, there is a dire need for capacity-building among the women.
“Capacity-building for women is crucial. Women's role in peace restoration is quite essential. In order to protect women's basic rights, we need to expand their roles,” Presidential Candidate Dawoud Sultanzoi said.
“In today's society, women's opinions are not valued and their suggestions are not considered in decision-making,” Second Vice President to Zalmai Rasoul Habiba Sarabi said.
Civil society institutions asked the presidential candidates to honor the commitments made to women during campaigns and to facilitate women's participation in economic, social, cultural and political spheres.
Source/Fuente: http://www.tolonews.com/elections2014/forum-womens-role-next-government
