Sunday Times 2
SWAN Sri Lanka and WCIC appeal against gender discriminatory legislation in Afghanistan
View(s):The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) in association with the South Asia Women’s Network (SWAN) Sri Lanka has joined the Afghan Women’s Network (AWN) in appealing to President Hamid Karzai, to the Afghan National Assembly and to all legislative commissions, especially the Independent Oversight Commission on the Constitution, to uphold equality between women and men, as enshrined in the Constitution of Afghanistan, which prohibits any discriminatory laws against women.
SWAN is echoing the concerns of the AWN and others regarding a series of legislative moves by the National Assembly that will lead to discriminatory laws against women and children in Afghanistan and heighten the risk of violence against them. As the AWN notes such moves include:
- The withdrawal of a law on Elimination of Violence against Women as result of opposition expressed by number of parliamentarians against it;
- Decreasing the quota for women in the provincial councils in contradiction of the provisions of the Constitution to 20%;
- The power given to a guardian to contract a marriage on behalf of a child by the Guardianship law, rather than focusing on the right to safety and protection of the children and family by creating a safe environment for children and orphans. Moreover, the National Assembly did not include a provision to criminalise Bacha Bazi – a strict socio-religious practice-as demanded by civil society.
WCIC/SWAN Sri Lanka state in their press release that they concur with AWN that such legislative moves will only increase the vulnerability of women and girls to violence and decrease their participation in political and social life. Moreover, they are also contrary to the spirit and in some cases the letter of the Afghan Constitution and the country’s obligations under international human rights law.
“We together with SWAN, South Asia and AWN share the pain and anguish of our sisters in Afghanistan, and support them in this hour of need. We fully endorse the fervent appeal and the heartfelt sentiments expressed in the press release issued on 8th February by the Afghan Women’s Network (AWN) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
“We are greatly heartened with the subsequent news that consequent to the appeal made by AWN and the SWAN members of the South Asian region that the Afghan Government has decided to review the proposed legislation, the press release stated.
WCIC works in association with international organisation such as the SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneur Council (SCWEC) which comprises a membership of key women entrepreneur organisations from SAARC countries and the South Asian Women’s Network (SWAN) headquartered in New Delhi.
| WCIC celebrate International Women’s Day
The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce will celebrate International Women’s Day on March 5 at the Galadari Hotel. The Women’s Chamber has organised a programme featuring prominent businesswomen who will speak on ‘Women Leaders as Architects of Change’. Chairperson/Managing Director of New Phillips Hospital Indrani Fernando, Chairman / Managing Director – Ramya Apparels, Ramya Weerakoon and Managing Director – Universal Labels (Pvt) Ltd Indira Kulatilake are among the speakers who will share their success stories with the audience. With a 160-strong membership of businesswomen and professionals, the WCIC, one of the only women’s chambers in the region has every year commemorated this special day by showcasing women who have excelled in business and industry. In past years eminent businesswomen from India – the likes of Prof. Veena Sikri , Ms. Padma Sri Anu Aga and Ms. Meher Pudumjee have been the guest speakers at their celebrations. |