International Conference on Afghan Women's Education Supports Inclusive Dialogue for Lasting Peace in Afghanistan

Bali, December 11 (QNA) - Participants in the International Conference on Afghan Women's Education, jointly chaired by the Republic of Indonesia and the State of Qatar in the Indonesian city of Bali, hailed both countries' initiative to organize the conference, voicing their support for all initiatives and approaches to create an environment conducive to an inclusive dialogue for sustainable and lasting peace in Afghanistan, that represents and serves all Afghan people. This came in the closing statement of the conference, in which the participants reiterated their strong support for and solidarity with the people of Afghanistan to achieve lasting peace, stability and prosperity, stressing, in this context, the importance of women's education. The statement highlighted the strong support for all initiatives and approaches seeking an environment conducive to achieving an inclusive dialogue between Afghans to achieve sustainable and lasting peace in Afghanistan, that represents and serves all spectrum of Afghan people. Women and girls are an essential component of development, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, and ensuring their full, fair and meaningful participation in society will enable the people of Afghanistan to benefit from their full potential, the statement read. The statement also highlighted the challenges that Afghan women and girls are still confronting, including limited access to education, health facilities, freedom of movement, and job opportunities. Although the entire population faces some challenges due to the restrictive policies in Afghanistan, women and girls are the most vulnerable, the statement read. There is strong advocacy and backing for respecting the rights of Afghan women and girls, including their right to education, the statement added, calling for Afghan authorities to continuously take the necessary steps to improve the quality of life of Afghan women and girls, and ensure the realization of their basic rights, including the right to education. The statement called for adopting serious efforts and concrete actions to expand opportunities for Afghan women and girls to benefit equally from formal education at all levels and various learning methods, including in-person, virtual and distance learning. These objectives can be effectively attained with strong and tangible international support, the closing statement added as the participants welcomed the support and commitment to continue cooperation with the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the international community, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to mobilize international support that bolsters and achieves the a sweeping education and training system in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls. The conference welcomed the pledges and declarations of concrete collective efforts to educate Afghan women and girls made during this conference, including funding, in-kind donations, and scholarships from governments and non-governmental agencies. The Conference called on countries, international organizations, NGOs and other stakeholders to join this collective initiative, affirming that the international community should work with all relevant stakeholders in Afghanistan to develop a solid strategy for their long-term engagement in Afghanistan to ensure that the international assistance be effectively and comprehensively delivered. The statement concluded with the participants hailing the initiative of the Republic of Indonesia and the State of Qatar to host the conference, and supported their collective efforts to follow up on this message, which represents the statement of the conference chairmen. (QNA)