The United Nation's office in Afghanistan on Thursday highlighted the importance of women's active participation in the upcoming presidential election and peace talks in Afghanistan.
At a gathering in Kabul discussing the role of women in society, a spokesperson of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) said that the coming year will be a critical year for determining the role of women in Afghanistan, particularly politics.
"Women, like men, should participate in the election and the women should show the candidates of the election that it is impossible to come to power without women. So the women should have a good plan in the election and also they should know what is going on in the peace talks with opposition groups," Unama's Director of Strategic Communication Dr. Massoumeh Torfeh said.
Women in education, politics and security were also present, with some of the guest speakers noting that if there was more women involved in these sectors then Afghan society would be different in its attitudes to them.
"There is still no place for women in the field of politics. If there were more places available for them, surely the country's condition will change," lawmaker Shankai Karokhil said.
A university student who attended the gathering told TOLOnews that students were also hopeful of a future with more women in leadership positions.
"We want roles for women in government. Afghanistan will not reach a favorable place without women's roles," student Sadaf said.
The treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan is frequently highlighted in the media and is a focus of the work of many non-government groups. However, as the cases of violence against women continue to rise, some have questioned whether those in power in government and law enforcement take the matter seriously enough.
