The Afghan Peace Jirga: Ensuring that Women are at the Peace Table

As Afghanistan's political leaders prepare for the Peace Jirga—bringing together some 1,500 Afghan policymakers, community leaders and elders to end the Taliban insurgency—it is important to make sure Afghan women are duly represented and included in any decisions regarding reconciliation. Banished from public life under the Taliban regime, Afghan women were included in the 2001 peace negotiations in Bonn and have steadily occupied an increasing number of public leadership positions in Afghanistan, challenging longstanding patriarchal norms and attitudes regarding women's role in Afghan society.