As under the Chair of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, on March 17th, the UN Security Council (UNSC) will decide on the renewal of the mandate of UNAMA in Afghanistan. As part of the Dutch Civil Society letter to the Chair of the UNSC, Gender Concerns International urges UNSC to ensure that the UNAMA`s mandate is inclusive of supporting women’s inclusion and participation at all levels of the electoral process in upcoming elections in Afghanistan.
Participation is one of the pillars of the 3-P approach of UNSCR 1325. The Kabul Conference 2015, facilitated by Gender Concerns International, resulted in recommendations made by leading Afghan civil society organisations in favor of increased support for women`s improved electoral participation, which further ensures wider economic, social, and political participation of women.
Within the context of recent discussion around NUG`s possible extension, and the gloomy scope of the upcoming elections in Afghanistan, supporting women’s political and electoral participation by UNAMA and the international community would help reflect their commitment in implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Afghanistan.
Gender Concerns International observes elections internationally from a specific gender lance. Through its Gender Election Observation Missions (GEOMs), the organisation has raised the issue of gender focused electoral reform in many countries in the MENA region. The organisation works nationally and internationally with leading women and civil society organisations, networks, and platforms to promote gender equality and parity in governance and decision-making world-wide.