Afghanistan

Wazhma Frogh, co-founder of the Women and Peace Studies Organization in Afghanistan and member of the Afghan Women’s Network, reflects on the importance of women’s participation in the ongoing Afghan peace process. 

The assembly, known as a loya jirga, was convened by President Ashraf Ghani to debate Afghanistan’s path to peace. Organizers proudly pointed out that 30 percent of the 3,200 delegates were women. But several female delegates said they felt ignored, marginalized or patronized.

Afghanistan’s environment has been a casualty of the country’s years of war.

In an appalling decision, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II decided not to grant the Prosecutor’s request to open an investigation into alleged crimes committed in Afghanistan.

Crossfire, IEDs, nighttime raids have been blamed for civilian casualties.

Afghan women used to be championed by almost everyone. Now they’re all but forgotten.

Nearly half of the country that is caught between the two sides of the seesawing conflict. The constant fighting has deprived these rural Afghans of most of the improvements — schools and institutions — at the center of concerns over peace negotiations.

Video: A Kiss For My Vote: Afghan Candidates Talk Of Harassment

Afghan Taliban Open To Women’s Rights – But Only On Its Terms

Decades of factional wars, the Taliban rule, and the losses sustained during the insurgency and counter-insurgency have left millions of Afghan women widowed, children orphaned, and men disabled.