ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Netherlands Government will provide US$1.7 million to finance women activities in Afghanistan, says a press release issued here on Friday.

The funds will be used to support UNIFEM’s activities to give women a larger say in the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and to finance reproductive health activities of the United Nations Population Programme (UNFPA) in the war-torn country.

The financing of an international expert who will advise the United Nations on gender issues is also foreseen, the release said.

The funds for Afghan women are in addition to the $30 million that the Netherlands had committed after the events of September 11 for supporting Afghan refugees. Part of that funds has been used to support the refugees in Pakistan, it said.