CAPS Hosts Women Peace Activists

On 3rd February 2019, the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) hosted leading women peace activists for a discussion. Hasina Safi, Acting Minister of Information and Culture; Dr. Habiba Surabi, Deputy Chair of High Peace Council (HPS); Dr. Orzala A Nemat, Director of Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU); Asila Wardak and Frima Nawabi from Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Nargis Azaryun from Open Society Foundation attended the meeting. The participants congratulated Mr. Hekmat Karzai for his appointment as CAPS’ Chairman.

Peace talks with the Taliban and the role of women were discussed in details. The participants argued that women can play a constructive role and stressed the need on their inclusion in the process. They call on the US and the Afghan government to make no compromise on the achievementsof the last 17 particularly on issues pertaining to women, human and civil rights.Echoing the participants, Mr. Karzai said that “without women presence at the negotiating table, a lasting peace cannot be realized”.

Finally, all the participants requested CAPS to take lead in gathering youth and women for such discussions on peace to ensure that their voices are heard in the peace process.