Over the last 17 years, we have fought to bring women’s voices and interests into Afghanistan’s political, social and cultural institutions, against a backdrop of ongoing violence. We are civilians, teachers, doctors, activists, students and artists

who have collectively and individually created space to advocate both for ourselves and for peace in our country. Many of our leaders have paid with their lives for this progress.

We have built on the sacrifices of Malalai Kakar, Hanifa Safi, Najia Sediqi, Safia Amajan, Farkhunda Malikzada and Islam Bibi, and we stand on the shoulders of all the other women who have given their lives in the struggle for the same progress. We, the women of Afghanistan, will not go backwards.

The gains made from these hard-won battles are now being threatened by a deal that excludes our interests and voices and ignores the representation we have fought for. It is at this critical moment for the future of our young people, our women and our democracy that we ask for global solidarity, so we can continue to build on our victories.

We write this letter in order to voice our concerns about the current peace deal being negotiated between the United States government and the Afghan Taliban. These negotiations do not include the voices of Afghan women, they do not include the voices of our country’s youth, they do not include the voices of civil society nor the democratic structures, government and institutions.

When the coalition arrived in Afghanistan in 2001, it was on the back of promises made to Afghan women and future generations. We have been fighting for our rights and representation ever since. We welcome all steps to bring peace to our country, but history has taught us the bloody lesson that you cannot have peace without inclusion.

As we prepare to defend our rights once more, we ask that this peace process reaffirms and protects our constitutional rights, interests and democracy.

Hafiza, Wahideh, Hanifa, Roma, Shofuga, Sheela, Sheewa, Fahima, Setara, Shahllah, Zainab, Amena, Samaa, Subira, Khadija, Mariam, Aziza, Aynaz, Zarifa, Khadija, Jamin, Joya, Rahima, Roya, Saleem, Rohina, Nadia, Rohina, Baigum, Saleha, Sabera, Aqela, Shabnam, Anusha, Mursal, Hassanat, Sameen, Malahat, Atefa, Farangaiz, Rahima, Naseeba, Shekaiba, Shakila, Khadija, Monika, Khalida, Yalda, Aria, Farkhunda and more than 600 other Afghan women and youths – see facebook.com/Time4RealPeace

Supported by the following Afghan organisations: Women for Peace and Participation, Baghlan Youth Committee, Afghanistan Community Foundation, Independent Cooperation for Change, New Line Social Organization, Hayat Balkh Institute of Health Science, Paikn TV, Youth and Children Development Program, The Notion Generation Leaders, Radio Nehad Network, Khabar Journalism Center

 

Co-signed in international solidarity by:

Hanan Al-Shaykh Writer

Christine Ahn Activist

Margaret Atwood Writer

Asieh Amini Poet

Christine Chinkin Academic

Shirin Ebadi Nobel laureate/rights activist

Scilla Elworthy Peacebuilder

Eve Ensler Playwright

Neil Gaiman Writer

Jodi Ginsberg Index on Censorship 

Leymah Gbowee Nobel laureate/activist

Global Witness

Khalid Hosseini Writer

Mary Kaldor Academic

Tawakkol Karman Nobel laureate/rights activist 

Helena Kennedy QC Barrister

Wardah Khalid Activist

Deeya Khan Documentary film-maker

Paul Laverty Screenwriter

Ken Loach Director

Mairead Maguire Nobel laureate/rights activist

Rebecca O’Brien Film producer

Susie Orbach Psychotherapist

Margie Orford Writer

Caroline Criado Perez Activist/journalist

Arundhati Roy Writer/activist 

Joan Ruddock Politician

Kamila Shamsie Writer

Elif Shafak Writer/activist

Gillian Slovo Activist/writer

Gloria Steinem Writer/feminist

Madeleine Thien Writer

Jess Tomlin Activist/organizer

Salil Tripathi Writer/journalist

Roger Waters Musician

Cora Weiss Peace activist

Jody Williams Nobel laureate/activist

Women cross DMZ Peace organisation

 

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