Canada: CFUW Advocates for Afghan Women at the Bonn Negotiating Table

In December 2011 the international community will come together in Bonn, Germany for the Second Afghanistan Conference. The Conference is expected to focus on three issues: the civil aspects of the transition process transferring responsibility to the Government of Afghanistan by 2014, the long-term engagement of the international community in Afghanistan after 2014 and, the political process that should lead to a long-term stabilization of the country. It is essential that Afghan women’s voices be heard in this process.

The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) has sent a strong letter urging their Government to call for the presence of Afghan women at the negotiating table at the meeting in Bonn. CFUW believes that any political settlement must explicitly guarantee women’s rights to education, health and personal security. Measures of accountability need to be legislated and enforced.

This action is in keeping with CFUW policy and GWI Policy Resolution 2010 No. 9 , which calls for GWI to promote implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

CFUW has taken this urgent action because of the December meeting in Bonn. The GWI Resolutions Committee encourages national federations and associations in other countries to take similar action.

See CFUW Letter to Canadian Prime Minister on Afghan Women at the Bonn Negotiating Table