A Call for Support to Stop the Further Deterioration of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
WHEREAS, the fragile gains on Afghan women’s rights are being swiftly eroded as evidenced by the 28 percent increase in cases of VAW incidents as reported by the UN High Commission for Human Rights of UNAMA, the upsurge of heinous crimes against women, and the statement of UN Women...
International Rural Women’s Day: Beyond Commemorations
Last week, the world commemorated again the International Rural Women’s Day to call attention to the need for action on the many issues that women in rural communities confront worldwide. The plight of rural women has improved little despite these annual commemorations. Concrete actions are needed globally and the...
Afghan Widows: Challenges and Opportunities from National and International Perspectives
by Dr. Massouda Jalal // Former Minister of Women, Afghanistan
Overview of the Situation
Afghanistan is a highly prolific producer of widows. The number of widows in Afghanistan is estimated to be from 600,000 to two millions. This is one of the highest in the world when analyzed against the overall number of...
PRESS RELEASE: In the wake of the cancellation of Doha talks: Afghan’s women must...
PRESS RELEASE:
In the wake of the cancellation of Doha talks: Afghan’s women must be respected
Last week, in a dramatic last minute turn-around, the Taliban announced the cancelling of its intra-Afghan dialogue and announced the recrudescence of violence through a ‘Spring Initiative’, whereas the Afghan authorities issued a statement accusing...
STATEMENT OF DR. MASSOUDA JALAL
Founding Chairperson of Jalal Foundation and former Minister of Women, Afghanistan
for UN Human Rights Council Session 23 – Panel on VAW
We, the women of Afghanistan, are now fighting a fierce battle for our survival and human rights, as the presumed ‘peace process’ brings back fundamentalists who now conspire...
A Challenge to PM Modi: Empowerment for women and peace for the region!
by Dr. Massouda Jalal // Former Minister of Women, Afghanistan
India deserves to be commended for demonstrating once again the strength of its democracy as it elected its 15th Prime Minister through absolute majority. Supported by the rising middle class and the business sector of his country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi...
ELIMINATING PREJUDICES IN SCHOOL CURRICULA AND MATERIALS
By: Dr. Massouda Jalal ( Founding President, Jalal Foundation and Former Minister of Women, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan)
Democracy, human rights and gender equality are the cornerstones of enduring peace and progress in Afghanistan. However, in such a context where peoples’ lives continue to hang in the balance of a...
New Afghan criminal code legalizes complicity to domestic violence
Jalal Foundation and its network strongly condemn the adoption of the provision in the new Revised Criminal Code that prohibits relatives of accused criminals from serving as witnesses during investigations and trials. We are also deeply disappointed with the Parliament for playing deaf to the pleadings of women’s groups...
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: A Day of Accountability to Women by JALAL FOUNDATION
Today, the women of Afghanistan join the international community in honoring the sacrifices and achievements of women in all dimensions of life.
We salute every mother who put her life on the line to ensure the continuity of life. We honor all housekeepers and domestic workers whose invisible, unpaid and...
AFGHAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS BEYOND 2014: Hanging by the thread? – Jalal Foundation
By: Dr. Massouda Jalal // Founding President of Jalal Foundation and Minister of Women of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2004 to 2006 In TRUST WOMEN CONFERENCE, LONDON 3rd-5th December 2013
1. INTRODUCTION
Your Excellences, ladies and gentlemen, I convey to you sincere greetings of peace and gratitude from the...