Obama Nobel Peace Prize: Hope for a Fresh Focus on the situation of Women in Afghaistan and the region
Press Release
The Hague, 10 December 2009
Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize: Hope for a Fresh Focus,
Concerning ongoing Women’s Rights violation in Afghanistan and the region.
On the International Human Right Day, Gender Concerns International expresses its concern over the situation of women in Afghanistan and the region and appeals to the international community to take notice of this state of affairs and use its influence to bring lasting improvement to the situation of women in the region.
Referring to a recently issued Human Rights Watch report` We have the Promises of the World`. Women’s Rights in Afghanistan, Sabra Bano, director Gender Concerns International while pointing to the Afghan Strategy of President Obama which focuses on attainment of those targeted goals that are set by the international community concerning regional peace and security issues, comments that
“on the day when US President himself receives the Noble Peace Prize, it is hoped that the alarming situation of women will become a high priority goal on President Obama’s 2010 and beyond agenda and that it will contribute to have a fresh focus on women’s issues in Afghanistan and the region”.
As a civil society organization Gender Concerns International is engaged in the process of unifying women’s regional voices and bringing them to a common regional and an international platform that aims to have direct communication with the international community in pursuit of inclusive security and mutual interest. In this regard last July a conference was organized in Kabul and now 6 months after, there will be a follow-up meeting. Women representatives from the region will meet with the representatives of international community and other relevant stakeholders, in The Hague and Brussels between 12-15 January 2010. The meeting will focus on the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan and will prepare recommendations for actions. This shows that the women of the region are active in the struggle to bring change in their own situation and need full support and commitment of the international community. This needs to be acknowledged by those who value gender equality in Human Rights.
End of the press release
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For further information please contact:
Sabra Bano, Gender Concerns International:
Phone: 00 31 (070) 4445082, Fax: 00 31 (070) 4445083
Direct: 00 31 (070) 4445084, Mobile: 06 53965784
Direct: 00 31 (070) 4445084, Mobile: 06 53965784
Gender Concerns International, Laan van Meerdervoort 70