In 2022 I led submissions and evidence by a group of experts to the UK and Australian governments on the effect of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls. We focused on health and education. The twenty years prior to the Taliban takeover in August 2021 saw progressive reform that protected women’s rights in the areas of education, marriage, and public life. These protections were in the Afghanistan Constitution, its laws on Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the establishment of a Ministry of Women’s Affairs. Our vision was to see every human rights violation by the Taliban remedied with measures in place for non-repetition.
The same issues now arise in Gaza. When considering US President Trump’s 20-point plan for peace, point 9 envisages a “Board of Peace” for the “day-to-day running of public services and municipalities in Gaza.” Logically, this must include centers for education and services for health and welfare, and the need for a functioning Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
The Taliban’s return has resulted in a humanitarian crisis with a collapsed healthcare system and the removal of education for women, alongside other draconian measures. Israel’s bombing of Gaza is likely to have had a similar effect, compounded by internal restrictions on women by other parties. Women are an all-stakeholder issue for any peace deal, and the art of a great deal is to understand that women can speak for themselves on these issues.
