Attorney General’s Office (AGO) Celebrates March 8, International Women’s day

The program was organized with the presence of Attorney General Mr. Saranpooh Mohammad Farid Hamidi, Deputy Attorney Generals (DAGs), some AGO Directors, Gender Director of Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC), Directors from Ministry of Women Affairs and AGO women staff. The program was held at the AGO Professional Training Institute’s hall.

AG thanked all women, especially women, who serve the people of Afghanistan for bringing justice and the rule of law through the Attorney General's Office, and praised their efforts in this way.

Mr. Hamidi said: “women’s presence in the governmental institutions, their capacity building and ability, is the government and AGO commitment”. He emphasized on the women’s efforts and capabilities and added that Despite all the problems and challenges that women face in Afghanistan, as mother, spouse and sisters they perform their duties in the best possible manner with patience, and bring pride.

Mr. AG also emphasized that AGO leadership is committed to increase the number of women working in AGO, and has taken practical steps in this way.

AG believes that, increase of violence against women, does not mean increase of violence against them, but it shows the women’s access to justice.

Mr. Hamidi added that our commitment to support women’s right and their access to justice, is not for international commitments, but it is for the people and future of Afghanistan.

According to Mr. Hamidi, the value, respect and privilege of women in our religious beliefs is a privilege that we can use as an opportunity. According to AG’s believe, women’s presence in different governmental institutions shows the change their position in comparison to the past years in the country. He also emphasized that the AGO leadership is seriously committed in capacity building of the women in this office. Mr. Hamidi mentioned the training of 140 women in the professional directorates of AGO as a practical step of AGO in this way.

On the other hand, Ms. Seena Shina Mansour, DAG for Elimination of Violence Against Women, Juvenile Offences and Human Rights Support talked about the effective roll of the women in good governance, bringing justice and rule of law. Ms. Shina Mansour mentioned that establishment of Deputy Attorney General for Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW), Juvenile Offences and Human Rights support as practical step of Afghanistan government and AGO in supporting women’s right. She talked about the efforts of EVAW DAG in elimination of violence women and their awareness in this regard. According to Ms. Shina Mansour’s believe, the establishment of EVAW prosecution office throughout the country, will increase women’s access to justice. DAG for EVAW said that increase of women’s presence in AGO, will increase women’s access to justice and on the other side, it will cause public trust to this institution.

Ms. Lida Haidari, AGO Gender Director also talked about the increment of women’s presence in AGO and their administrative and professional capacity building. Ms. Haidari had some suggestions on the women’s cadre compensations, capacity building, their contribution in scholarships and external travels and some other points.

Ms. Shahnaz Ekrami, MOWA’s Legal Director also talked about women’s roll in government structure in the past one and half decades. She believes that growth and empowerment of the women’s achievements require the institutions and related offices should effort and coordinate in supporting the women’s rights.

According to Ms. Ekrami, women by their presence in different levels, work and struggle to fight challenges arising from racism, criticism, poverty and extremism. At the same time, Ms. Nayla Naseri, IARCSC Gender Director stated that “currently women’s percentage in the Civil Services Tashkeel is 22.5%”.

According to her, to reach what the government has promised (increment of women in the government’s Tashkeel to 30%), we require commitment.

Ms. Naseri added that to increase the women in government structure, resolve the challenges, and fill the gaps, IARCSC has talked with 4238 women in 11 provinces of Afghanistan and analyzed their situations. She talked about the bonuses and facilities for the women adding that the recruitment conditions for the women is easier than men and IARCSC considered the work experience period three months lesser than for men in the Civil Services positions.