The foundation of sustainable peace is rooted in equality, justice, and freedom. Among these, gender equality plays a critical role in fostering inclusive institutions and preventing the recurrence of conflict. However, Afghan women, as primary victims of war and violence, have been systematically marginalized from peace negotiations and broader stability efforts. Recent reports indicate that peace talks between Afghanistan’s ruling regime and exiled political figures are set to resume. Yet, the inclusion of women in this process remains ambiguous.
Scholars in conflict resolution and peace studies emphasize that sustainable peace is inextricably linked to the equal participation of both women and men. Furthermore, the pursuit of social justice, adherence to the rule of law, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts can only be effectively realized when women are actively engaged in decision-making processes. Accordingly, this commentary critically examines the role of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, highlighting their contributions, challenges, and the necessity of their inclusion in achieving lasting peace.
Throughout Afghanistan’s contemporary history, the status of women has experienced significant fluctuations. Women have played a prominent role in both war and peace. Mir Ghulam Muhammad Ghubar, in his book Afghanistan Dar Masir Tarikh [The Contemporary History of Afghanistan], highlights the critical role of women in supporting independence fighters by delivering food and water. Beyond their contributions to armed conflicts, women have actively participated in peace movements, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. Notable examples include the Women’s Movement and the Women’s Support Association during the reign of Amanullah Khan (1919-1929). For instance, his wife, Queen Soraya, played a fundamental role in enhancing female involvement in the community. For this aim, they established the first female educational institutions. For instance, Queen Soraya founded the first girls’ school, Masturat, in January 1923. Simultaneously, they sent a significant number of girls abroad for higher studies. The Women’s Support Union under Zahir Shah, and the Democratic Women’s Organization led by Dr. Anahita Ratebzad.
However, women’s roles have experienced significant setbacks, particularly during the first Taliban regime (1996–2001) and their subsequent return to power in 2021. Under the initial Taliban rule, women were systematically deprived of their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and participation in peace processes. These restrictions were enforced based on the Taliban’s rigid and extremist interpretations of religion. Numerous scholars have extensively documented these limitations and their consequences. Notably, M.J. Gowhari, in his book The Taliban Ascent to Power (1999), and Ahmad Rashid, in Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil, and Fundamentalism in Central Asia (2002), provide in-depth analyses of the Taliban’s policies and their impact on women’s rights.
Following the fall of the first Taliban government, with the support of the international community, constitutional reforms, and institutions such as the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Independent Human Rights Commission, Afghan women played a significant role in social and political spheres, including peacebuilding. However, the resurgence of the Taliban in 2021 led to the severe restriction of women’s social and political activities. The dissolution of constitutional protections and women’s rights institutions resulted in millions of Afghan women being deprived of education, employment, and social participation. Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the Chief Justice of the Taliban’s Supreme Court, in his book The Islamic Emirate and Systems, endorsed by the Taliban leadership, explicitly limits women’s roles to domestic responsibilities, childbirth, and child-rearing.
Contrary to the Taliban’s restrictive policies, sustainable peace and social well-being can only be achieved through the collaborative efforts of both women and men. Countries where women actively participate alongside men in economic, political, cultural, educational, and social spheres have experienced long-term stability and development.
Moreover, throughout history, women have primarily been responsible for essential aspects of life, such as childbirth, caregiving, protection, and fostering social cohesion. In contrast, war and violence have traditionally been initiated by men. This historical pattern underscores that while women have played a minimal role in initiating conflicts, they can play a significant role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The importance of women’s participation in peace processes has been internationally recognized. In 2000, the United Nations Security Council, through Resolution 1325, underscored the crucial role of women in conflict resolution, peace negotiations, peacekeeping, and post-conflict governance. The resolution calls for the inclusion of women’s perspectives in all aspects of peace processes. Additionally, international human rights conventions—including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—emphasize justice and gender equality. As outlined in this paper, justice and equality are fundamental prerequisites for achieving sustainable peace, as a just and lasting peace cannot be realized without the equal participation of women.
Numerous studies highlight the pivotal role of women in ensuring lasting peace in post-conflict societies. Karause, J, Krause, W, and Branfors, P., in their article “Women’s Participation in Peace Negotiations and the Durability of Peace,” establish a strong correlation between peace agreements, sustainable peace, and the involvement of women in these processes. He concludes that the active and meaningful presence of women leads to the formulation of more effective peace agreements, a higher success rate in implementation, and the establishment of durable peace.
Moreover, Valerie Hudson, Mary Caprioli, Rose McDermott, and Donna Lee Bowen, in their seminal book, Sex and World Peace, emphasize the critical role of women in peacekeeping. They highlight that women make significant contributions to peacekeeping efforts, particularly in regions where violence against women is prevalent.
In addition to the above scholars’ highlights, data indicates that women’s participation in peace negotiations significantly increases the success rate of agreements. An analysis of 40 peace negotiations conducted after the Cold War revealed that women’s involvement played a critical role in the success of these agreements. In contrast, negotiations where women were absent or had a minimal role exhibited lower success rates. Moreover, studies show that peace agreements involving women have a 64% higher probability of success.
Over the past two decades, numerous peace processes have been implemented in Afghanistan, with the most significant ones including the Bonn Process (2001), which aimed to establish a transitional government and draft a new constitution; the Kabul Process (2010), which focused on Afghan-led peace efforts; and the Istanbul – Heart of Asia Process (2011), designed to strengthen regional cooperation for Afghanistan’s stability. At the international level, the Moscow Process (2017–2021)brought together Taliban representatives and Afghan political leaders in pursuit of a political resolution Additionally, the Istanbul Process (2021) was initiated under the supervision of the United Nations to facilitate dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban; however, it failed due to disagreements between the parties. Lastly, the Doha Intra-Afghan Negotiations (2021) were launched as an effort to establish a national dialogue but ultimately collapsed following the fall of the Afghan government in August 2021. Despite these extensive efforts, women’s participation in these processes remained significantly marginal, and their role in key decision-making was largely overlooked. Contradicting global experiences that demonstrate how the active involvement of women in peace negotiations enhances both the success rate and the sustainability of peace agreements.
Upon examining peace negotiations and peacebuilding efforts across various countries, it becomes evident that women have played a pivotal role. In the Colombian peace process, women and women’s organizations actively participated in peace dialogues. During the final peace talks with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) from 1998 to 2002, the government of President Andrés Pastrana appointed María Emma Mejía as one of its principal negotiators. She was a signatory on several accords reached during those negotiations.
During Liberia’s devastating civil war from 1999 to 2003, Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, played a pivotal role in ending the conflict. As the leader of a women’s peace movement, she mobilized women across religious and ethnic lines to advocate for peace. Her activism ultimately contributed to the signing of a peace agreement in 2003, bringing an end to the war and paving the way for Liberia’s reconstruction and reconciliation.
In the Philippines, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer made history as the first woman to lead government negotiations in a peace process, playing a crucial role in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Her leadership contributed to the signing of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, granting greater autonomy to the Muslim-majority Mindanao region. Likewise, in Rwanda’s post-genocide rebuilding and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s post-war reconciliation, women played a significant role in fostering peace, promoting justice, and contributing to national recovery.
Due to their historical exclusion from political power structures, Afghan women often have a distinct and more inclusive approach to peace and justice compared to men. Whether inside Afghanistan or in the diaspora, Afghan women have demonstrated greater flexibility, foresight, and creativity in advocating for peace and justice. Their collective efforts even led the International Criminal Court (ICC) to formally accuse the Taliban leadership and its Chief Justice of crimes against women, submitting their case for further procedures. This highlights the unique experience of Afghan women in peace and justice advocacy, making them indispensable contributors to peacebuilding processes.
The population of Afghanistan is comprised of over 99% Muslims. Both public and private affairs are conducted under Islamic principles. Therefore, it is deemed appropriate to reference Islamic guidance and jurisprudential evidence concerning the role of women in peace processes. Islamic teachings and historical precedents support the active participation of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The Quran places great emphasis on peace and reconciliation. For example, Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 10, states: “Indeed, the believers are brothers, so make peace between your brothers.” This verse highlights that fostering peace and resolving conflicts are collective responsibilities in an Islamic society, and women, as followers of Islam, share this duty. Additionally, the Quran narrates the story of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), who, through wisdom and diplomacy, established peace in her kingdom without resorting to war. Surah An-Naml, verse 23, states: “I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given everything.” This verse underscores that women possess the capacity to contribute to peace and stability within society.
Throughout Islamic history, women have played crucial roles in social, political, and familial spheres as advisors and peacemakers. Lady Khadijah, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad, is one of the most notable figures who played a key role in supporting the Prophet and promoting justice and peace. Additionally, Lady Umm Salama provided strategic counsel during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, significantly influencing its acceptance and implementation.
Despite their historical and religious significance in peacebuilding, Afghan women have faced persistent challenges in participating in peace processes. These obstacles include deep-rooted traditionalism, religious conservatism, patriarchal structures, and restrictive government policies. However, Afghan women have continuously demonstrated resilience. On one hand, they have engaged in civil resistance through street protests. On the other hand, they have amplified their voices on international platforms, published books, research papers, and doctoral dissertations, and contributed to global discussions on peace and justice, demonstrating that their role in society is undeniable.
In conclusion, in Afghanistan, women constitute half of the population; however, they remain significantly underrepresented in national decision-making and peacebuilding efforts. Despite their resilience and immense potential, women have been systematically marginalized and excluded from formal processes, particularly those about peace and reconciliation. This exclusion persists, even though the experiences of other post-conflict societies demonstrate that the active and meaningful participation of women is essential for achieving lasting peace.
Women’s perspectives on peace are often more inclusive, rooted in community realities, and oriented toward long-term stability. Their involvement has consistently been shown to enhance the legitimacy, durability, and inclusiveness of peace agreements. In recognition of this, the United Nations Security Council, most notably through Resolution 1325 and its subsequent resolutions, has underscored the critical importance of ensuring women’s participation at all stages of peace processes. Furthermore, both international legal frameworks and the core principles of Islam acknowledge and support the pivotal role that women play in promoting peace, justice, and social cohesion.
Given Afghanistan’s unique sociocultural and religious context, it is both necessary and appropriate to draw upon Islamic teachings alongside international norms to advocate for the full inclusion of women in peace efforts. Achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan is unattainable without the active and meaningful engagement of women at every level—from grassroots dialogues to national negotiations. Their empowerment is not merely a matter of equity and justice; it is a strategic necessity for building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for all Afghans.
Written by Tawab Danish