As the date nears for a meeting of special envoys for Afghanistan in Doha organized by the United Nations, several residents of Kabul said there is a need to discuss an inclusive government and meaningful participation of women as key parts of the agenda.
They expressed the aspiration for a government that encompasses women and girls in all sectors, including work, politics, and education.
“An inclusive government should be discussed. The situation in Afghanistan is not good. People have lost their jobs. A government should be established that should hear everyone’s voice,” said a Kabul resident who wished to remain anonymous.
“If the United Nations does not accept the participation of protesting women, we will not accept the conference. We hope that our representative is accepted so that she will raise the problems of each and every woman and girl in Afghanistan. And we hope that an inclusive government is formed,” said a Kabul resident and an activist, who also requested anonymity.
“People should be given participation in the government so that the war and conflicts that affected everyone over the past four decades are over,” said another Kabul resident who wished to remain unnamed.
The Taliban has often claimed that their political structure is all-inclusive and that the world has not provided a specific definition to them of an inclusive government.
Sources have said that the Taliban have not agreed to share power with other political leaders. They have defined intra-Afghan talks as “general amnesty” and safety of living in Afghanistan. However, the international community has made it clear that an inclusive government means a government with the participation of all parties, including women, girls, and religious minorities.
“The international community should pave the way for the establishment of a government in Afghanistan in which all ethnic groups are given a share, especially women who should have their real place in the government,” said Tahira Naseri, head of a women’s movement.
The fall of the previous government on August 15, 2021, left the intra-Afghan talks in Doha incomplete, and the subsequent Taliban-led government excluded women from its cabinet.
Currently, there is no woman minister or a minister from the Hazara community in the Taliban cabinet.
