Presence of Chancellor Merkel at Bonn Conference Will Help Enhancing the Scope of Female Leadership in Afghanistan

in strengthening of female leadership and women's inclusive governance in Afghanistan

Mr. Konrad H. Arz von Straussenburg Minister Counsellor at German Embassy

receives a letter for Chancellor Merkel by a 3 member delegation of Gender Concerns International that will leave for Bonn this weekend

European Women's organizations that are operational in Afghanistan need to be acknowledged

To many, the Bonn-Conference will be a test case for the international community to discuss not only the future strategy on Afghanistan but also to ensure its firm support to women’s human rights and inclusive governance in Afghanistan. At this historic juncture, 2011 seems to be the year of perplexing hope and fear where on the one hand, the Islamic radical and moderate forces appear to be gaining democratic access to governance from Libya, Tunisia, to Morocco and Egypt, whilst on the other hand Afghanistan seems to accommodate Taliban in power sharing mechanisms. Within this context women’s inclusive governance and female leadership will pose serious challenges in above mentioned countries.

Since past few years Dutch gender and development organisation, Gender Concerns International has been lobbying international community to stay firm in its commitment to the women in Afghanistan while strategizing on exiting Afghanistan.

Yesterday on 1^st December a 3 member delegation has met with Minister Counsellor Mr. Konrad H. Arz von Straussenburg at German Embassy and discussed the impact of Bonn Conference on the future of Afghanistan and women’s situation in the regional context. Delegation has handed over a Letter for Chancellor Merkel, the official host of the Bonn Conference, to Counsellor von Straussenburg at the German Embassy in The Hague.

The delegation expressed its hope that the Bonn Conference will re-affirm its support for the civil freedom and rights of women achieved during past ten years and that women’s rights will be safeguarded and women will be actively involved in peace reconciliation, transition processes and within governance structures in Afghanistan. Further Delegation mentioned that the letter to Chancellor Angela Markel also requests her support and recognition for the brave and hard work of European and other international women and civil society organizations that is being done in rather unsafe and hard condition in Afghanistan. Gender Concerns International strongly feels the need for an acknowledgment and representation of this stakeholder group at the conference.

Gender Concerns International wholly supports the idea of strengthening a political process that ensures a stable, secure and promising future for both women and men in Afghanistan.