Albania and the international summit for Afghan women

2024-09-09 11:13:00, Aktualitet Dr. Rudina Çollaku

Albania and the international summit for Afghan women

Dr. Rudina Çollaku, president of "Woman Center for Development and Culture Albania"

At a crucial moment for women's rights in Afghanistan, Albania is emerging as an important advocate in defense of Afghan women's rights. Under the direction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania will organize the first international summit for Afghan women, which will be held in Tirana from September 11-13, 2024. This initiative, in cooperation with international organizations and local, aims to place Albania at a higher level in the international arena.

The summit will gather 140 representatives from all over the world to discuss and draw up strategies for protecting the rights of Afghan women. Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions on their basic freedoms. The introduction of the Virtue and Vice Act in July 2023, which restricts women's access to education and employment and mandates face coverings in public, has prompted widespread condemnation. The international community is facing increased pressure to act.

Over 80% of Afghan girls are deprived of education, and 60% of women report experiencing systematic violence. The Tirana Summit will serve as a platform to address these crises. One of the main results of the summit is expected to be the adoption of the Tirana Declaration, which will require a sustained global effort to protect the rights of Afghan women and ensure the protection of basic human and religious freedoms.

Albania, with a history of involvement in international human rights initiatives, has also been an active supporter of Ukraine and global peace efforts. The organization of this summit reflects its growing role in international diplomacy and its commitment to advance global humanitarian causes.

Association Women Center for Development and Culture Albania, a key player in the protection of women's rights in Albania, has played a vital role in organizing the summit. This organization has been at the forefront of promoting women's rights, both nationally and internationally. Albania's previous efforts to host refugees from Iran and Afghanistan underscore its commitment to humanitarian aid.

Key participants at the summit include former Afghan MP and activist, Ms. Feuzia Kofi, who emphasized that "Afghan women are not just victims of a brutal regime; they are a sustainable force fighting for a fairer and more equal future." The summit will also be attended by important figures such as the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, the British Foreign Minister, James Cleverly, and the US Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Mrs. Rina Amiri. The participation of these figures underlines the global importance of this event and the need for concerted efforts to protect the rights of Afghan women.

The ultimate goal of the summit is to mobilize the international community through the Tirana Declaration, to ensure that Afghan women are supported and their rights are protected, sending a clear message that no oppression of women will be tolerated. This historic event represents an important step in positioning Albania as a key advocate for human rights and in raising its status on the international stage.