Finland increases input on behalf of equality in Afghanistan
Press release 173/2011
30 June 2011
Finland and Afghanistan have launched cooperation aiming to improve the possibility of women to participate in peacebuilding, reconstruction and conflict prevention. The intention is to increase the possibilities of Afghanistan’s ministries and other authorities to promote women’s participation as equals and to strengthen cooperation with local organisations.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has a central position in this. Cooperation is conducted to strengthen the Ministry’s coordinating role in implementing the UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888 and 1889 on the theme “Women, Peace and Security”. The aim is to support preparation of Afghanistan’s national action plan on women, peace and security and to obtain information for updating Finland’s own action plan.
Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul of Afghanistan and Ambassador Pauli Järvenpää, the ambassador of Finland to Afghanistan, signed the cooperation document on Tuesday, 21 June.
According to Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala, cooperation of this sort is worthy of support. In line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Finland strives to strengthen the position of women and girls in armed conflicts. This goal has also been recorded in the new Government Programme. Attention to the position of women is important in order to attain social development and comprehensive security objectives.
Additional information: Advisor Päivi Kannisto, mobile tel. +358 0400 328 016 and First Secretary Miia Rainne, Unit for Asia and Oceania, tel. +358 9 1605 5594