Thousands of Afghan Women Make Urgent Request: Help Us “Stand Up!” to End Violence Against Women
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Jalal Foundation announces a global petition drive to combat violence against women in Afghanistan, launching March 8, 2012 as part of the annual worldwide renewal of commitment and solidarity towards activism Against Gender Violence campaign, now in its 100th year.
The heart of the “Stand Up!” global petition drive is a call for support signatures for a comprehensive resolution to end violence against women in Afghanistan, drawn up by Jalal Foundation leaders after all together four years of planning sessions held all over the country with the active participation of thousands of Afghan women.
“We have had enough of government officials sitting around drinking tea while human rights abuses records remained immune against law,” said Amina, a participant from Herat. We are demanding action.”
Led by Dr. Massouda Jalal, Afghanistan prominent International Human Rights Activist, winner of International Human Rights Prize in Europe, a mother of three, former presidential candidate and Minister of Women’s Affairs, and a campaigner for democracy and human rights, the Jalal Foundation’s petition drive seeks to gain international attention to institutional lack of accountability and lack of attention paid to violence and human rights abuses against women in Afghanistan. The Jalal Foundation is enlisting partners such as Amnesty International, Rutgers University Center for Global Women’s Leadership, and Women for Afghan Women in its efforts. The petition will include a short summary of the resolution as well as calls to action for international NGOs, governments, concerned individuals, and the Afghan government.
“It is our hope that by galvanizing a global audience to call attention to our proactive solutions and demands, the Afghan government’s attention and commitment will follow,” said Hasina Isra, Foundation Secretary.
An excerpt from the resolution states:
We, the women of Afghanistan, understand that respecting the basic human rights of civilians, especially of women and children, is an essential factor to achieving a stable and healthy society. We consider women’s involvement essential in bringing long-term peace to the country. We believe that without the participation of women, security, peace, reconstruction, and national unity will not be possible, and the rule of law will not and cannot become a reality. The “re-Talibanization” of Afghanistan is threatening the progress of the country as a whole, but most of all by its institutional oppression of women. Only by stopping re-Talibanization and by strengthening women’s involvement and leadership in all levels of political and social life will Afghanistan thrive and prosper as a sustainable, peaceful democracy.
“We want to assure that the Afghan government is bound by international human rights law,” Dr. Massouda Jalal said, “so we are able to ensure that all persons are able to enjoy their fundamental human rights in Afghanistan. We believe that this is not too much to ask, and we have waited too long.”
More information: Organizations or individuals seeking to assist with outreach efforts or to make a donation to the cause, please contact Hasina Isra, at jalalfoundation@hotmail.com.
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The Jalal Foundation is an independent, non-profit Afghan organization led by renowned international women’s rights activist Dr. Massouda Jalal. The central focus of the Jalal Foundation is to promote Afghan women’s rights and political empowerment via participatory advocacy and leadership education.
