Bridging gaps to enhance meaningful participation of Afghan women
Strategizing a Seat at the Table - Second Grand Convening: 30 July - 2 Aug 2024
The second grand convening for the ‘Strategizing a Seat at the Table Initiative’ recently took place in London. Once again, it brought together an intergenerational group of Afghan women who represent diverse perspectives, sectors, backgrounds and leadership spaces. The shared goal was to work together to bring forward a pathway for action for lasting peace in Afghanistan through enhancing the meaningful participation of Afghan women in all spaces and processes concerning Afghanistan and the future of its people.
It was led by the Afghanistan diaspora organization Women for Peace and Participation and organised in collaboration with the International Civil Society Action Network and Women In International Security Italy. UN Women’s WPH funded this event which was hosted by the Centre for Women, Peace and Security at LSE.
Participants assessed opportunities and envisioned mechanisms and processes for women’s participation in peacebuilding which go beyond those led by the international community. Goals and actions for meaningful participation that respect and promote Afghan women’s agency and experience were drafted. Discussions concluded with the co-creation of agreed key messages and proposals for all stakeholders.
This convening reflects and strengthens the agency of Afghan women through its core vision and guiding principles. This network will continue to evolve, bringing together Afghan women politicians, academics, researchers, diplomats, civil servants, members of civil society groups, and experts in the private sector, business, human rights, economic development, and education to establish pathways to inform, participate in, and create women-led mechanisms and processes for their meaningful participation and leadership in discussions around peace, security and reconciliation in Afghanistan. It remains dedicated to helping support the agency of women leaders and sustaining allyship with other key stakeholders
As we enter the third year of the backlash against women and girls in Afghanistan especially in education, employment, and the socio-political life of the country, we remain committed to collaborating and bringing together individual and collective expertise, leadership, ideas, and strategies of Afghan women leaders, including young leaders, in full recognition of the potential of diverse and complementary approaches as a strong foundation for a way forward to achieve inclusive and lasting peace in our beloved Afghanistan.
Quhramaana Kakar
On behalf of the conveners
Founding Director, Women for Peace and Participation, Fellow at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security at LSE, and Snr Strategic Advisor to Women Mediators across the Commonwealth Network .
WPP: www.wppeace.org; X Twitter: @womenpp12 Instagram: women_pp Facebook: Women for Peace and Participation
ICAN https://icanpeacework.org/; X Twitter: @whatthewomensay
WISS https://wiisitaly.org/; X Twitter @WIISItaly
WPS https://www.lse.ac.uk/women-peace-security ; X Twitter: @LSE_WPS