Hundreds of Afghan women gathered in protest against the incidence of stoning women to death. The protest took place 5th May, 2005 at about 13:00 hour. Civilian and women activists were holding play cards and chanting slogans protest against the recent tragic incidence in Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces. In consideration of law and order situation, the administration wanted the protest to be bound in side of “Bagh-e-Zanana” (a park in Kabul City), however due to non support of MAOWA towards the participating NGOs, this gathering took place outside the women’s park where more than hundreds women and civilian and school students gathered in protest. The majority of the participants included staff of NGOs, teachers and female students of different high schools.

They were all shouting slogans against the convicts and were demanding serious action against them for violating human rights. The protesters were demanding a serious notice of the incidence from President of Afghanistan and calling for punishment of criminals.

They were calling for justice and punishment of culprits in the presence of public and to stop such violation of human rights utmost immediately. They were urging government to take serious steps for the security of women and called for religious scholars and ulema to take positives steps in stopping such deprecated actions and save Islam and Islamic society from disrepute.

Afghan women have been mistreated under the rule of dictators in different ages of history, but now they can work in community and society along with their rights on basis of Islamic and humanitarian laws and regulations and can take an equal participation in country’s welfare and construction.
At the end of walking and demonstration, the demonstrators circulated a manifesto and published it through mass media including Afghanistan’s TV’s and international radios like Voice of America and BBC.

The manifesto contained:

Manifesto Dated: 5/5/2005

Defender Organization of Human Rights, women rights defending constitutions, Afghan community members and Afghan nation through regard of Islamic rules in connection to regard of mankind, emphasize under the constitutional law of Afghanistan with responsibilities of government for the protection of civilians’ reputation, property and life along with consensus of Afghanistan’s government and consensus of international documents urge for establishing of equal rights of man and woman and to withdraw unfavorable cultural and traditional acts that magistrates hostility against women.

In connection with recent disaster in Afghanistan i.e. tragic assassination of 22 year girl Aamena in Badakhshan, killing of three other women who were employees of NGO’s in Baghlan and killing of a lady member of staff in “Pul-e-Khumri” are all condemned and protested and demand protection of life and reputation of Afghan women against the unjust acts that have caused a huge threat to the life of one specific gender more than any other in Afghanistan.

The government must prosecute the criminals and we declare the following major points:

1. The president of government, as a selected president of Afghan nation had better or would rather take a serious notice for punishment of criminals of such inhuman actions.
   
2. Judiciary system of Afghanistan as an organ reserved for the purpose of protection and safeguard must:
   
1. Outlaw such irresponsible judicial decisions through its open judicial strengthening forces through out Afghanistan.
2. Prosecute and punish the cruel killers of Aamena.
3. Look cautiously at the cases of women’s death with less possible delay and prosecute the criminal in presence of public to be an example and lesson for the others.
   
3. Prevent misinformation and propaganda in community against constitutions in order to stop attacks on and harassment of workers of these constitutions.
   
4. With enormous attention and budget only for strengthening security of country, government must also take action through better and proper way for security of civilians too.
   
5. Learned men and clergy must not misact or bad preach against Islam to make Islam and its rules defame.

We as a representative of all Afghan women condemn all acts of such persons who create offensive situation and we show our extreme anger upon them.

As representative of:

• Afghan Women Network (AWN)
• AACA
• Afghan Woman Educational Center
• Omid Educational Center
• Noor Educational Center
• Afghanistan Woman and Political Partnership Committee
• Bakhtar Network Services, 11th District of Kabul City
• Rights and Democracy
• Nahid-e-Shaheed Cooperation Committee for Afghan Women
• Afghan Committee for Reconstruction of Afghanistan
• Aarya Meher Reconstruction Committee
• Center of Talent Development Committee for Afghan Women
• Woman Right Defend Association, Balkh Province
• Rozena (Woman Right Defend Committee)
• Human Skills and Development Rehabilitation Committee Gohar Shad
• Central Handicrafts Network Committee for Afghanistan’s Women
• Committee of Reconstruction Rights
• Shafaq Magazine
• Developmental Services Committee for Afghan Women and Children
• Cooperation of Administration for Non-governmental Organs
• Association for All Afghan Women
• Hygienic and Developmental Center for Women of Afghanistan
• Educational Center for Disable Girls and Women
• Civil Network Community and Human Rights
• Afghan Community Network for Peace

The higher committee wishes to present this manifesto to Mr. Hamed Karzai, president of Islamic government but Ministry of Women even being a women protector and supporter is hesitating and has not extended any kind of cooperation in matter yet.

Manifesto had been publicized through mass media including papers and audio visual transmissions and brought into the notice of higher authorities.

This gathering was ended by shouting and commotions of: “We want clear-cut prosecution of criminals, along with those people who are against women and human rights; we want peace all over the country”.

Thanks

AWN recently conducted an interview with her about the current training on HIV / AIDS Prevention and Control that was implemented in May, 2005, Peshawar by AWN.

Giving a brief introduction about Women’s Commission she said;
The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children founded in 1989 is an independent affiliate of the International Rescue Committee. The Commission works for protection of refugee and displaced women, children and adolescents, encourage their participation ensures their access to education, health services and livelihood opportunities

She said that our 4th training of HIV / AIDS Prevention and Control was conducted in June, 2004 in Islamabad.

What was the purpose and objective of the Training?
The purpose of this training was to pilot test the coming training in Thailand, Kenya, Syralon and Pakistan. The objective was to train humanitarian workers to deepen their individual understanding of the complexities of HIV/AIDS and to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to improve HIV/AIDS programme design and implementation in their communities.

How was the feedback of this training?
The feed back was very good; the participants were very active and most belonged to NGOs. They took keen interest in each day of training.

How was your experience of conducting the training in this region in contrast to the trainings you provided in other regions?
We experienced to test it in a different culture. Although the feedback was very good but some courses did not work very well in an environment with men and women together, e.g. condom, orases, naming different products of body.

We hold test in Asia, Africa in conflict settings. Doctors and highly specialized old educated people have odd attitude and I think this will not change until people have change of attitude.

Will Afghan refugees also benefit from these training?
Yes, Afghan Refugees will also benefit from the training, Training could allow in controlling and early detection.

How do you collect the feedback from participants?
A Short report of the activity and indicators is collected at the end of each day of training and after complete training.

What output do you expect from the current training ?
Improved knowledge of HIV
Addressing negative attitude
To create trainers for trainers, from 75 Trainings Peshawar, Mardan and Lahore

And what would you expect form the participants of this training generally and AWN specifically?
Each participant has the objective to know that they will be in constat work in future and they will train their staff.

AWN deals a lot of these issues and is capable of doing more. I believe it will continue to raise awareness and build capacity in providing further trainings.

Thank you very much Julia for giving us time. It was nice meeting you.

Thank you too Saeed.

Giving the details of trip she said that more than 135 women from different organizations contributed to this conference. She said, after a very long time we have seen the presence of Afghan women in this conference which was a great opportunity for all of them to talk and elucidate about the achievements of women within past three years. All countries took keen interest in the discussion of Afghan women and showed concern for their support and cooperation. She added, besides this we also had a meeting with Mr. Kofee Anan who promised to extend his cooperation regarding the current problems Afghan women.