ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is expected to adopt a formal statement soon on the important role the Afghan women should play in the country’s reconstruction, a UN spokesperson said here on Monday.
According to UN Information Centre director, Eric Falt, the 23 members of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women have drafted a statement of solidarity with the women of Afghanistan. The statement has been transmitted to Afghanistan’s interim leader Hamid Karzai through the UN special representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi.
The text of the statement is as follows:
“On the occasion of its twenty-sixth session, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women fully expresses its solidarity with, and support for, the women of Afghanistan.”
“Afghan women have suffered for a considerable time every privation known to humankind, losing all their fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, education, health and work.
“The participation of Afghan women as full and equal partners with men is essential for the reconstruction and development of their country.
“The Committee welcomes the resolve of the international community to assist in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and calls upon all parties concerned to respect internationally recognized principles, norms and standards of human rights, particularly the human rights of women which are an inalienable and indivisible part of universal human rights, in all their actions and activities. The Committee considers this essential to achieve peace and stability in the country.