The delegation of nine women in Australia says Taliban’s ideology about women has no place in the current Afghanistan and they will resist against it.
These women had come to Australia as part the second Australia-Afghanistan Annual Dialogue, organized by the Afghan Embassy in Canberra, for talks with Australian government officials, as well as civil, academic, business and cultural organizations, and Afghan Diaspora communities.
On the final day of its nine-day tour, the delegation was hosted by the Afghan Australian Development Organisation (AADO) in Melbourne last week (Thursday). The women said they were deeply concerned about the absence of Afghan women and government in the US-Taliban peace talks in Doha.
These women had come to Australia as part the second Australia-Afghanistan Annual Dialogue Source: SBS Dari
Peace process
The fifth round of US-Taliban peace negotiations in Doha lasted for 16 days and wrapped up with a “draft agreement” on the US withdrawal timeline and “counter-terrorism assurance” by the Taliban.
Once these agreements were finalised, the next step would the beginning of intra-Afghan talks, including the Afghan government, and a ceasefire agreement.
But, Women and Youth Affairs Advisor to the chief Executive of Afghan National Unity government Sajia Behgam says Afghan people and women are panicked by the current talks “between a terror group and America”.
The delegation of nine women in Australia says Taliban’s ideology about women has no place in the current Afghanistan Source: SBS Dari
“The Afghan government doesn't have a fundamental role in decision-making so any decision being made is concerning for Afghan people and Afghan government,” she says.
According to Ms Behgam, in several rounds of US-Taliban talks, insurgents have said they will not allow women to run for the presidency but will respect their other rights.
Ms Behgam, who was a teenage girl during the Taliban regime, doesn't think the Taliban will accept an agreement that guarantees Afghan women’s rights and freedom.
“The Taliban’s real face is clear for all people of Afghanistan.”
She says Taliban hasn’t changed in the view of most Afghans, but it has changed in America’s view: “When they say the Taliban has changed, that might be the American definition of change in the Taliban.”
“They might treat Afghan women’s rights according to the Sharia Law that they have fabricated and woven on their own, which is not acceptable.”
Nargis Azaryun, a member of the delegation who represents Afghan civil society, points out the US Special Representative for Afghan Peace Process Zalmay Khalilzad’s series of tweets. After the last Doha meeting Khalilzad tweeted: “why do we need Taliban’s agreement, an American agreement, for an intra-Afghan dialogue for the fate of Afghans?”
Australia-Afghanistan Annual Dialogue was organized by the Afghan Embassy in Canberra Source: SBS Dari
“Unfortunately they’ve made such a big deal out of Taliban that now they see themselves as this strong opposition who can even challenge the state of Afghanistan.”
“To whatever extent that goes, I think, there will be resistance against the Taliban ideology”.
Nahid Hamidy, businesswoman and board member of Afghan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry says peace talks with the Taliban should be led by Afghan people and government, not the US.
“As a country we don’t want to go decades back and start from scratch,” she says.
Australia’s role
Pointing to the 50th anniversary of the Australia-Afghanistan relationship this year, Ms Behgam says they have shared the concerns of Afghan people and women about the ongoing peace talks with Australian officials. She hopes Australian officials consider their concerns in their future decisions and talks with the US.
Afghan women’s achievements with the help of international community, including Australia, in the past two decades shouldn’t be traded for peace, she says.
On the final day of its nine-day tour, the delegation was hosted by the Afghan Australian Development Organisation (AADO) in Melbourne Source: SBS Dari
The participants of the second Australia-Afghanistan Annual Dialogue ask Australian women and government to support Afghan women.
“Don’t make Afghan women the victims of any [political] trades,” they say.
