Afghan women demand protection of rights in peace process

At a gathering in Kabul, hundreds of Afghan women demanded the protection of rights as well as their achievements in the ongoing peace efforts, a media report said.

During Sunday's event, the female participants from all across the country said that ignoring women's role in the peace process means ignoring the whole country and that they will not allow any compromise on their fate, TOLO News reported.

"We, the Afghan women, are the defenders of the Islamic republic system in Afghanistan. We do this for us, for our next generation and to maintain our achievements," said Hasina Safi, nominee minister for women's affairs.

Other women at the event said they will not allow their role to be ignored in the peace process.

"We all know that peace must come to this country and it will be ensured one day. We have been victims of war for many years… We want a role in peace and we will not allow our role to be used as tools by others," said Nahid Farid, an MP from Herat.

Some participants of the gathering said the return of the "dark days" will not be acceptable when it comes to the peace efforts.

"A peace without women cannot be called peace. Women make up half of the society and their rights should be considered," said Freshta Fazli, a journalist.

"We will not go back. We will have a bright future," said Husna Saadat, an employee of the Transportation Ministry.

Out of the 21 members of the negotiating team of the Afghan republic, four are women.

The peace negotiations between negotiating teams from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban started on September 12.

However, direct talks were yet to begin because of disagreements on procedural rules for the negotiations..