Commission on the Status
of Women 56th Session
NGO PETITION TO THE UNITED NATIONS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN AFGHANISTAN
NAWO is a member of the CSW 56 Liaison committee working
with the GEO. Out of this group a strong wish has come to support women and girls in Afghanistan who are extremely fearful
for their futures given the fact the negotiations for peace now include the Taliban as potential sharers of power in any post
conflict Government. As always little notice appears to be taken of the need to involve women in such negotiations and in
any post war government. Hence, we have drawn up a petition to collect signatures at this year's CSW where hundreds of
women from all over the world are gathered. The petition reads as follows:
We, the representatives of several hundred Women’s Non-Governmental Organisations from across the world,
attending the 56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, unanimous and united in our
grave concerns for the lives, rights, and security of the millions of Afghan women and girls should the Taliban return to
power in Afghanistan, as is being discussed in current peace negotiations, urge and
exhort Members of this Commission and all United Nations Member States to request the United Nations Secretary-General to
agree a Resolution [illustrative draft at www.nawo.org.uk] through whatever United Nations processes and councils are most suitable
and immediate, that will ensure that effective mechanisms are put in place in Afghanistan to protect Afghan women and girls from violations of their fundamental rights as enshrined in international treaties,
conventions and Resolutions such as SCR1325, to encourage their advancement
and to prevent any return to their position prior to 2003.
We are hoping that an online system for sign up will be available during CSW. In the interim please email admin@nawo.org.uk to add your organisation to the petition.
You will note that the petition requests that the UN passes a resolution,
you can read our Illustrative Resolution below.
click here to download the petition
click here to read the Illustrative Resolution document
NAWO @ WRC • Ground Floor East 33-41 Dallington Street • London, EC1V 0BB • phone: +44(0)207 324 3045• email: 