(MENAFN- Daily Outlook Afghanistan) KABUL - KABUL (Pajhwok): Top UNofficials have underlined the need for Inclusive peace in Afghanistan, seekinga central role for women in reconciliation talks.
UN deputy chief Amina Mohammed,who led an all-women delegation for a two-day solidarity mission, said theyfocused on women, peace and security.
Speaking to journalists inKabul on Sunday, she said: 'We have been impressed with the leadership at alllevels of government from Kabul out to the local areas…
She was immensely impressedwith seeing an investment in people, particularly in women's empowerment.
She was joined by UN Politicaland Peacebuilding Affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo, Executive Director of the UNPopulation Fund (UNFPA) Natalia Kanem and UN Women head Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The deputy secretary-generalsaid they had come before the key presidential election, due to take place atthe end of September, but also to lend their support for the peace process.
She stressed the need for apeace drive that was integral to the future and sustainability of all effortsand aspirations the Afghan government and people had.
The mission came days after abomb attack outside the Kabul University killed 10 people - students and atraffic officer - and wounded 33 others.
Elsewhere in the country,Taliban detonated a bomb outside police headquarters in Kandahar City, killing11 and wounding nearly 90.
Despite the on-going violence,Afghan leaders held ground-breaking talks in Qatar earlier this week withTaliban representatives, with both sides calling for a reduction in civiliancasualties.
The UN delegation met PresidentAshraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah on Saturday. The delegates also met adiverse group of women, hosted by First Lady Rula Ghani.
They also met religiousleaders, who have a crucial role to play in bolstering the peace process, saida statement from UNAMA.
On Sunday, the delegationtravelled to Bamyan province, where UNFPA is running a series of supportprogrammes and services for women of reproductive age and families, as well astackling gender-based violence (GBV).
They also visited a UN deminingsite and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Buddhas of Bamyan, which weredynamited and destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001.
The deputy chief said herface-to-face conversations with Afghan women had left her with no doubt thatwomen were 'in leadership roles, decision-making, they know exactly where theywant to go and what they need from us is support.
'We have heard from them manymessages: on the elections, that they must be credible, they must be timely,they must be inclusive, and their voices must be heard."
On the peace process, she saidit had to be inclusive: 'And inclusive means women at the centre, especiallywhen it comes to addressing the needs of victims of violence.
'You cannot address peace andits sustainability, if you cannot come to terms with reconciling the past. Sothis has been an incredibly important opportunity for us.
The deputy secretary-generalnoted during the trip they had also been gratified to see the gains of the investments made by the UNsystem and its partners over the years.
The UN Women chief said she hadbeen struck by talking to women who had lived with the 'oppressive legacy ofthe Taliban's rule – which banned them from attending school, work or evenspeaking publicly or leaving the house without a man.
'The same women haveconsistently and courageously advocated for their voices to be heard, theirpriorities to be addressed and their agency to be recognised, remarkedMlambo-Ngcuka.
'And they do not stand alone,because UN Women and the UN, are here to back them up at every step.
She said as the momentum builtfor peace talks with the Taliban, 'ensuring women's meaningful participation inthe process and in the upcoming elections is more urgent than ever.
'Women must be able to exercisetheir right to define what peace means for them, and to have a seat at thetable where the future of the country is being negotiated, said the executivedirector.
'Only then we will really seedurable peace and democracy flourish in Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)
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