Attachments
1. BACKGROUND
On October 31st 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted the historic Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace, and Security. The adoption of UNSCR 1325 was the validation of over 20 years of advocacy by women peace activists and women’s organizations globally and it had no precedence before as it recognized that women’s increased participation in all decision‐making on peace and security related issues, as well as an end to conflict‐related sexual violence.
The Resolution stresses the importance of increasing women’s participation in the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict as well as all matters related to peace and security. UNSCR 1325 was adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which effectively makes it international law, with obligatory responsibility for implementation for all UN member states. UNSCR 1325 builds on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Beijing Platform for Action. UNSCR 1325 is also reinforced by six subsequent resolutions adopted by the Security Council: UNSCR 1820, UNSCR 1888, UNSCR 1889, UNSCR 1960, UNSCR 2106, and UNSCR 2122. Together they comprise the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.
As a UN Member State, Afghanistan is committed to observing the principles of the UN Charter, international treaties it has signed, and UNSCRs, particularly those on women’s rights. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, therefore, intends to take practical steps in order to adhere to its women’s rights obligations, and contributing to the maintenance of peace and security. To this end and in order to implement UNSCR 1325, the Government of Afghanistan has developed this National Action Plan.