In October, 2008, nearly 500 women from all corners of Afghanistan converged on Kabul for the first National Women’s Council.  This milestone event was the first time in recent history that women from across the country had the opportunity to confer with each other about the issues that most affect their lives.

Women from 33 of the 34 Afghan provinces were in attendance.  Participants included high-level government representatives and female professionals working in health, education, business, religion, agriculture, media, the judiciary, security, science and technology, and the arts.  These women represented all socio-economic classes, ethnic and age groups, and levels of education and literacy.

Over the two-day council, participants developed a list of priorities in each of six critical areas: (1) security; (2) legal protection and human rights; (3) leadership and political participation; (4) economy, work and poverty; (5) health; and (6) education.  They ranked their most urgent needs using The National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan as a framework.  The National Action Plan is the official strategy for empowering women and advancing gender equality.  The Council submitted a Declaration of their priorities to President Karzai, who attended the council on the second day.

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is encouraging the government, civil society, and the donor community to address the Council’s recommendations and will monitor their responses. This event not only provided the women of Afghanistan a chance to voice their needs, but helped established collaborative relationships to ensure increasing awareness of the important role women play in peace, security and development.