Afghanistan adopted the National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security

The Afghan Government adopted a National Action Plan on 30 June, which will implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace & Security. The resolution stresses the rights and status of women in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

There has been close cooperation between Finland and Afghanistan in the preparation of the Action Plan.  Finland has allocated development cooperation funds to support the preparatory process for over four years.

Women's position in Afghanistan is among the weakest in the world. Children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are subject to human rights violations and abuse. The citizens' knowledge of their rights is defective.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini congratulated the Afghan Foreign Minister for the launch of the Action Plan. In his message, Soini noted that the successful preparatory process was based on the Afghans' own participation in different parts of the country. Soini hoped that their active participation will continue also when the Action Plan is implemented.

Inquiries: Janne Hirvonen, Attaché, Department for the Americas and Asia, tel. +358 295 351 645.