The advancement of women has always been central to our pursuit of national peace and reconstruction. From the Bonn Agreement to the Constitution, Afghanistan Compact and Interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy (I-ANDS), we have remained steadfast in our commitment to pursue gender equality and the empowerment of women in all spheres of life. As articulated in the I-ANDS, it is the goal of Government to eliminate discrimination against women, develop their human capital, and promote their leadership in order to guarantee their full and equal participation in all aspects of life.
It is time to work for the realization of this goal. I endorse the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) as an initial vehicle of government for implementing its gender commitments in the Afghanistan Compact, I-ANDS and other national and international policy instruments on women. I direct all ministries and instrumentalities of government, including provincial governments, to begin the implementation of this plan by including NAPWA in their ministry/provincial plans and budgets. All government instrumentalities are directed to report their performance on the implementation of this plan to my office every six months through the Ministry of Women‘s Affairs I also enjoin all sectors of society and our international partners to help make the vision of this plan a reality.
