Push for sufficent resources at Tokyo Conference: Gender Concerns International supports call from the Afghan women's movement

The Tokyo Conference on 8th of July, the third of three large conferences held this year on Afghanistan, will provide a crucial opportunity for women to present their vision for Afghan women to the international community. Focused on the economic and social development of Afghanistan, the Afghan women’s movement hopes that the conference will result in sufficient support for women in post-transition Afghanistan.

Gender Concerns International in cooperation with the Afghan Women’s Network coordinated a meeting with women leaders from Afghanistan to discuss final preparations for the conference. The meeting was attended by over 40 prominent women leaders including representatives of civil society, women parlimentarians and members of the government of Afghanistan. Many of these women will be attending the conference in Tokyo and welcomed the event as a final opportunity to discuss concerns prior to the conference.

Participants of the meeting included the Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ms Muzhgan Mustfay, Mahboba Saraj and prominent parliamentarian Farkhunda Zahra Nadri. Attendees discussed the present and future situation of Afghan women and reflection on progress made and the way ahead. After many months of forums, discussions and consultations in preparation for the conference, the Afghan women’s movement and Gender Concerns International are hoping that the international community will hear their voices at the conference.