Herat Peace Dialogue - Regional Programme Southwest Asia

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Herat Peace Dialogue

First dialogue between women, religious scholars and tribal elders in Herat

On March 16, 2021, the KAS Afghanistan office, in partnership with EPD (Equality for Peace and Democracy), organized the first dialogue in Herat between women, religious scholars and tribal elders.

March 16, 2021

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Around 70 Afghan religious scholars, tribal elders and women from Herat held two panels on March 16 to discuss current developments in the Afghan peace process and the role and position of religious scholars (ulama) and tribal elders in the protection of women's and human rights.

A delegation of the "Women Peace Mediators", a group of Afghan women from Kabul, also traveled there. There was a live connection to Doha to two members of the Doha negotiating team (Fatima Gailani and Ghulam Majroh) as well as a live connection with the Deputy Minister of Peace, Dr. Abdullah Khenjani.

For the religious scholars and tribal elders from Herat, this was the first dialogue with Afghan women on the peace process. The deputy governor of Herat, Monesa Hassanzada, welcomed the dialogue as an important initiative for a peaceful reconciliation.

KAS

Who are the Women Peace Mediators?

The "Women Peace Mediators" are a group of women mediators founded by KAS and EPD in Kabul in 2020 with the aim to support dialogue and consensus building in the Afghan peace process. A series of dialogues was established between women and religious scholars, mullahs and imams, as well as tribal elders and representatives of political Mujahideen parties to discuss issues relating to human and women's rights and political participation in the Afghan peace process.

Goals of the dialogues

Build knowledge, understanding and trust among different opinion holders (Islamic scholars, mullahs, imams, tribal elders, Afghan women and civil society).
Identify areas of consensus and dissent for the upcoming peace negotiations.
Engage religious scholars and local religious-conservative stakeholders as reform partners for peace.
Provide a dialogue platform for open and trustful exchange.
Involve the international community (including Muslim countries) for positive support for peace and reconciliation.

"Women Peace Mediator“-Dialogues since 2020

Herat Peace Dialogue with religious scholars and tribal elders (March 2021)
National Ulama Dialogue in Kabul (November 2020)
Dialogue with Mujahideen representatives (2020/2021)
Weekly discussion series with NATO, Berghof Foundation, embassies, OIC & Afghan NGOs

The dialogues take place under Chatham House rules.