US advocates involvement of Afghan women in ongoing peace talks, members of Congress pen letter

 United States has urged for involvement of Afghan women in ongoing peace process and make sure that ir voices are heard during negotiations with  Taliban. In a letter, members of US Congress have told US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo that Afghan women were excluded from peace talks during February and May peace negotiations between US negotiators and  Taliban members in Doha. 

"Yet during February and May talks in Doha between American diplomates and Taliban, Afghan women were t represented. Afghan women' voices need to be heard - t just on women's rights, but on future of ir country. We urge State Department to protect Afghan women's negotiation position and hard-won gains in all discussions with Taliban," letter re.

A copy of letter, which has also been sent to US Special Representative on Afghan peace, Zalmay Khalilz, has furr asked State Department to make sure that achievements of Afghan women in past 18 years should be protected.

US lawmakers quoting  US Institute of Peace have said more than 68,000 Afghan women are employed in schools and universities, at least 10,000 Afghan women are doctors and healthcare professionals, and Afghan women entrepreneurs have created roughly 77,000 jobs for Afghans which are big gains that must be preserved.

Farkhunda Zahra Neri, a women's rights activist and a former visor to President Ashraf Ghani, said, "If you are t sitting around table, you cant remain in government. Those who gar around table, y make peace with each or; peace on ir thoughts and peace on ir different point of views. If you are t on table, it means having a different point of view or having a shared point is t important."

"Afghan women have also called for ir voices to be heard and today that US Congress members have sent letter. It is a positive step and it means that y completely support women's participation," said Shinkai Karokhail, a member of  Afghan Parliament was quoted as saying.

In response to calls, Khalilz  US Special Representative on Afghan peace has said that women's rights and achievements in war-ravd Afghanistan will be protected.