In the 20 years before the Taliban came to power in August 2021, women in Afghanistan had been able, with difficulty, to reclaim some of their rights and their place in society. Until the takeover, we supported women to increase their knowledge about their rights in relation to the peace process at the time, so that they could help shape peace and have a voice in decision-making processes. We are currently analysing how to continue our support for Afghanistan's women.

Women in Afghanistan know how much is at stake for them in the peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government. If negotiations fail, they above all risk losing hard-won rights. The women must be able to demand their rights and have their say. A course at Gawharshad University in Kabul empowers them to do so.

If peace in Afghanistan fails, the women stand to lose the gains they have made since the collapse of the Taliban regime. Sima Samar, Coordinator for PeaceWomen Across the Globe and government official in Afghanistan speaks out for women’s rights and their inclusion in shaping her country’s peace and future. For this she has paid a high price. And yet she remains steadfast and cautiously hopeful.

Twenty grassroots women activists and experienced women peace activists participated in seven online training sessions aimed at strengthening peacebuilding knowledge and skills and fostering an inclusive and supportive network of Afghan women peacebuilders. Women from different provinces across Afghanistan participated in the sessions, organised by Femina Afghanistan. We supported these sessions through our Feminist Peace Initiatives.

For two intensive days, 17 peace activists from 10 Asian countries explored the different roles that women play in peacebuilding. For the participants, the meeting in the Philippine capital Manila was a rare “time out” to reflect on their work, gain new perspectives and strengthen solidarity across borders. We also discussed what added value our Feminists Connecting for Peace network can offer in order to gain insights for further networking and advocacy activities.

We take a public stand on peace-related events and issues, together with like-minded organisations or in solidarity with members of our global network Feminists Connecting for Peace. We also participate in consultations. Our feminist understanding of peace and the focus on women’s and human rights are central to this political work.

Women, girls and LGBTIQ+ persons urgently need protection from violence by the Taliban regime! We call on the Swiss government to act quickly. (Joint statement with 14 civil society organizations in Switzerland, German.)

The international community has failed Afghanistan – and this is even more true for the women and girls. We call on the Swiss Federal Council and the international community to act to secure their future.

In our range of multimedia products you can listen to human rights and women's rights activists talk about their lives and work. You can also learn more about our and our partners’ projects and events.

"Justice and peace for Afghanistan", Sima Samar, member of our Board and women’s rights and human rights defender, Afghanistan

Das Problem in Afghanistan sei nicht die Stärke der Taliban, sondern die Schwäche der Regierung, sagt Sima Samar, die ehemalige afghanische Sonderbeauftragte für Menschenrechte und Vorstandsmitglied von FriedensFrauen Welteit. Ohne die Garantie von Frauenrechten sei kein dauerhafter Frieden möglich.

In this interview with the Swiss daily newspaper Le Temps, Sima Samar lets her memories emerge. As a Hazara, a woman and a feminist, she is everything the Taliban reject. She left her country on 25 June 2021, before Kabul was taken by the Taliban. "Just a few days before I saw my country collapse." Sima Samar is a human rights activist and member of our International Board.
The interview is only available in French.

The peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government have been ongoing since September 2020, with only four women on the 21-member government negotiation team and none among the Taliban negotiators. We ask Sima Samar, founder of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and of Gawharshad University in Kabul, what the chances are for lasting peace.