The Bayan II project, titled “Inclusive Governance and Improved Security through Influence,” aimed to raise awareness and strengthen the role of Afghan women in the decision-making process and their participation in political campaigns in society. The project also focused on enhancing women’s engagement as potential candidates and voters in an upcoming parliamentary election.

A delegate from HRWMO attended several international events in Brussels and the Netherlands as part of the Bayan project. The events addressed the challenges and opportunities of inclusive security, inclusive peacebuilding, and women’s political participation.

These events were co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands, the European Network of NGOs in Afghanistan (ENNA), the European Parliament, the Dutch Afghanistan Platform, the Dutch Member of Parliament, and a police training center in Apeldoorn.

HRWMO, in partnership with its Dutch counterparts, organized a National Consultative Meeting in Kabul with the theme “Afghanistan 2016 and Beyond: Opportunities and Challenges for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership.” The meeting brought together 25 representatives from women-led non-governmental organizations, international organizations, the Afghan National Election Reform Commission, human rights organizations, and other experts. The discussion at the meeting emphasized the importance of women’s political participation, opportunities, challenges, and electoral reform in 2016 and the future. The role of the international community in supporting this process was addressed, along with the development of a more cohesive approach for 2016.

“A national conference titled “Afghanistan 2016 and Beyond: Opportunities and Challenges for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership” took place in Kabul on 16 December 2015. The conference assembled representatives from women-led non-governmental organizations, the Dutch Ambassador, international organizations, human rights organizations, the media, and other experts.”

At the end of the national conference, the HRWMO and Gender Concerns International shared a declaration on women’s rights, opportunities, and challenges in Afghanistan with the media outlets.

HRWMO has been involved in multiple initiatives for the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. In the first year, the Bayan project aimed to increase public support for human rights, peacebuilding, and women’s leadership, with a focus on engaging Afghan youth. The second year focused on addressing various forms of family violence against women and girls through media programs, national advocacy conferences, and community dialogues. The project’s third year emphasized encouraging more women to join the police force, and a national campaign was launched to promote women’s political participation in parliamentary elections as voters and candidates.

In collaboration with its international partner, Gender Concerns International, HRWMO organized a national advocacy and lobbying conference to highlight the importance of female police officers in the security forces. During the event, issues of sexual harassment were raised, leading to the development of an Anti-Harassment Code of Conduct by the Gender & Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Interior as part of the Gender Integration Strategy.

 

The sixth component of the Bayan project involved the production and broadcast of radio panel discussions, dramas, and packages. A total of 96 radio panel discussions, 96 radio dramas, and 96 radio packages were broadcast, featuring women activists from across the country. These media programs aimed to highlight, ending violence against children and address various forms of family violence against women and girls and women’s political participation from Sharia and Islamic perspectives.

The programs with female parliamentarians, activist women, political party members, provincial council members, and other women involved in civil society organizations were complemented by discussions with experts such as academic scholars, university students, and women activists. These initiatives aimed to foster a deeper understanding within the community, particularly among Afghan youth and families, regarding the benefits of women’s political participation, women’s roles and rights to work based on Islamic values, and women’s right to vote and be nominated in upcoming parliamentary elections.

Related Documents

Survivor stories

Delcaration

HRWMO penal discusstion on Social peace and  women particiaption

Radio drama on civic peace and women participation

Suvivor interviews

For more information on this initiative, please get in touch with Wali A. Shirzad.