Halonen calls for Afghan women´s equal rights

Former President Tarja Halonen on Monday urged for ensuring equal rights for Afghan women and girls.

“We want to see Afghanistan fully respect human rights of women, their security and equal participation in all fields of society,” Halonen wrote in a twitter post in the afternoon.

“Together with women leaders across the world we are calling for equal rights for Afghan women and girls,” the former President added.

Meanwhile, Halonen also published an appeal in her blog on Monday to protect the rights and wellbeing of women and girls in Afghanistan that the Taliban seized after taking over the state power.

The plea has been signed by a number of other prominent female leaders such as Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Joyce Banda former President of Malawi and Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland.

They join the recent Call by Women Leaders to uphold and advance equal rights and opportunities for girls and women in Afghanistan.

“Securing girls’ access to education and ensuring women’s equal participation in the society is the only way forward for Afghanistan,” stressed Halonen, who served as the first female President of Finland in 2000-2012.

The plea urges the Afghan government to respect the human rights of Afghan women as well as ensure their full participation in all fields of society.

The letter, which clearly demonstrates an anxiety for the security and position of Afghan women and girls, asks the newly appointed Afghan government to adhere to the legal obligations under the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The letter stressed that a nation can only prosper by embracing all her citizens, and that Afghan women must take part in the peace-building process in order for it to succeed.