Careful monitoring will ensure Afghan women benefit from police mission
The Hague, 28th January 2011
Careful monitoring will ensure Afghan women benefit from police mission
Late yesterday, the Dutch government made a decision regarding the integrated police mission in Afghanistan, after weeks of debates, a hearing and negotiations.
To that effect, the Dutch contribution to the international presence in Afghanistan will include 225 women and men to train national police forces in Kabul, Kunduz and Bamyan.
Gender Concerns International - after contributing to the Parliamentary hearing earlier this week – appreciates the government’s efforts to adjust the mission and as a result help to support justice and security in Afghanistan.
Gender Concerns International welcomes the stronger gender perspective of the mission. It will be crucial to involve Dutch women’s organisations and experts on the ground to ensure this perspective is fully implemented.
“Women are agents of change while women’s organisations are the catalyst for security and development”, Sabra Bano, the organisation’s Director, pointed out on Monday’s hearing. While referring to increased security for women as a result of female participation in police forces, Ms. Bano further highlighted the importance of women being actively involved in Afghanistan’s peace and governance process.
Furthermore, the aim to build and sustain a secure environment for women with participation and leadership would meet the NAPWA’s (National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan 2008 – 2018) ambitions of a minimum 20 % increase in women participating in security service delivery by 2020.
For further information please contact:
Phone: 00 31 (070) 4445082 Mobile: 0653965784
Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517 AN, The Hague
Email: philip@genderconcerns.org Site: http://www.genderconcerns.org
Gender Concerns International
Philipp Schulz
Calling for women’s organisations involvement in Kunduz mission implementation and monitoring, Gender Concerns International anticipates the operation will make a positive contribution to instructing the civil police and strengthening law enforcement.
Mission Kunduz
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