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International Support for Afghan Women’s Rights

The Permanent Missions of Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan, with the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, hosted a High Level Panel Discussion on International Support for Afghan Women’s Rights.

Read a press release about the event here.

On the sidelines of the 65th Commission on the Status of Women, and at a critical moment for the peace process in Afghanistan, this event convened UN Member States and Afghan civil society leaders to elevate Afghan women’s voices, bridge formal and grassroots peace efforts, and prevent targeted attacks and killings against Afghan women. Together, we discussed how the international community can better support the protection and promotion of women’s rights and encourage their safe, equal and meaningful participation throughout the Afghan peace process and beyond.

Opening remarks by:

H.E. Barbara Woodward, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN

H.E. Elisabeth Millard, Acting ECOSOC Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations

H.E. Rula Ghani, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

H.E. Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia

H.E. Audun Halvorsen, State Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway

Featuring an interactive discussion with:

H.R.H. the Countess of Wessex

H.E. Rosemary DiCarlo, ​Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN

H.E. Andreas von Brandt, Ambassador of the European Union to Afghanistan

Ms. Mary Akrami, Executive Director, of the Afghan Women’s Network (AWN)

Ms. Shkula Zadran, Afghan Youth Representative to The United Nations

Moderated by Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Closing remarks by:

H.E. Adela Raz, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the UN