Canada’s Intl Affairs Agency Concerned With Absence of Women at Doha 3

The agency highlighted the absence of a Canadian representative at the third Doha meeting and reiterated that Canada has always emphasized the necessity of comprehensive participation in such meetings.

“The full, equal and meaningful participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting process is not only a core tenet of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, but fundamental to the achievement of a peaceful, stable and inclusive Afghanistan. None of the goals that Afghans are seeking to achieve are possible without the full participation of women,” the statement reads.

Some women’s rights activists in Afghanistan also believe that the presence of women representatives at the third Doha meeting was crucial.

“When decisions are made about women, their representatives should be present. It is an urgent need. The absence is regrettable,” said Alam Tab Amiri, a women’s rights activist.

“Today, the doors of schools and universities are closed, and restrictions on women are increasing daily. It would have been better if women had participated,” said Tafseer Siyahpoosh, another women’s rights activist.

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, head of the Islamic Emirate delegation at the third Doha meeting, stated that the issue of women in Afghanistan is an internal issue and efforts are ongoing to address the challenges in this regard.

“Internal issues should be left to Afghanistan. We understand our problems and the demands of our people, and we are trying to find solutions. However, countries should establish positive interactions with Afghanistan as a nation, which benefits all people. If, God forbid, restrictions continue, the first ones to suffer will be the people and women,” said Mujahid.

This comes as the G7 countries, representatives of various countries for Afghanistan, and women’s rights advocates have previously expressed concern about the absence of civil society and women’s representatives at the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan.