Forging New Ties

FORGING NEW TIES

REPORT FROM THE FIRST MEETING BETWEEN Afghan and Pakistani Women Parliamentarians

The EastWest Institute is an international, non-partisan, not-for-profit policy organization focused solely on confronting critical challenges that endanger peace. EWI was established in 1980 as a catalyst to build trust, develop leadership, and promote collaboration for positive change. The institute has offices in New York, Brus- sels, and Moscow. For more information about the EastWest Institute or this paper, please contact:

The EastWest Institute 11 East 26th Street, 20th Floor New York, NY 10010 U.S.A. 1-212-824-4100 [email protected], www.ewi.info Afghan parliament members vote on the new Cabinet after foreword the 2010 elections

n June 3 and 4, 2011, the EastWest Institute’s Parliamenta- ry Network for Conflict Prevention1 facilitated the first-ever visit of a delegation of Afghan women parliamentarians to Islamabad. There, the visiting politicians met with their Ofemale colleagues in the Pakistani National Assembly and leading Pakistani political figures, including His Excellency the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, and the Speaker of the House, Dr. Fehmida Mirza.

During the visit, participants from both countries held discussions aimed at strengthening political ties between Afghanistan and Paki- stan, notably among the women parliamentarians themselves. This report summarizes those discussions and presents the Islamabad Action Plan [see Annex I], adopted by participants and endorsed by Dr. Fehmida Mirza. It proposes steps for further cooperation between the two parliaments, and calls for a return visit of Pakistani women lawmakers to Kabul in the fall of 2011.

This report gives an overview of the major topics of the discussions that took place during the visit. It does not intend to fully capture all variations of opinions expressed. It does, however, reflect the pre- dominant views of the participants. The EastWest Institute (EWI) is solely responsible for the content as well as any omissions or errors in this report.

The meetings were convened with the generous support of the Bel-

gian Federal Public Service Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade EWI • F and Development Cooperation. The meetings would not have been possible without the tremendous dedication of the participants. T ies The EastWest Institute (EWI) would like to thank in particular, Dr. N ew org ING Donya Aziz MP, Ms. Asila Wardak, as well as and the Women’s Par- liamentary Caucus of the National Assembly of Pakistan for their contribution in making the meeting possible, as well as the ‘core group’ of participants: Ms. Elay Ershad MP, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho ING org N ew

MP, Ms. Bushra Gohar MP, Ms. Shinkai Karokhail MP, Dr. Attiya In- T ies ayatullah MP, Ms. Gulalei Nur Safi MP, Ms. Razia Sadat MP, and Dr. Nafisa Shah MP for their contributions throughout. EWI • F EWI

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1 Launched at the European Parliament in Brussels on October 8, 2008, the Parlia- mentarians Network for Conflict Prevention is an initiative of the EastWest Institute (EWI). The Network, comprised of 170 parliamentarians from 58 countries, works to mobilize efforts to prevent violent conflicts through diplomatic initiatives and effective collective action. For more information please visit: www.parliamentariansfor- conflictprevention.net Executive Summary

fghanistan and Pakistan share a 1500 mile-long border, strong cultural, religious, and economic ties – and a historically complicated relationship. Today, political leaders in both countries are taking positive steps forward to improve the bilateral relationship, which is vital for the region’s overall security. In order for the bilateral relationship Ato deepen further, women should be actively engaged in fostering dialogue between the two political communities.

In December 2010, the EastWest Institute (EWI) convened an international conference at the European Parliament in Brussels. The aim: to strengthen the political position of Afghan women parliamentarians as they govern and work for peace. Participants concluded that, by meeting regularly, Afghan and Pakistani women parliamentarians would not only gain practical support, but also contribute to building bilateral trust. Both Pakistani and Afghan participants ultimately called for a follow-up dialogue, which led to the first-ever delegation of Afghan women parliamentarians to Pakistan in June 2011.

Before the June meetings, EWI held intense consultations with Afghan and Pakistani women parliamentarians, who identified the main objectives of the delegation:

• Establish a network of trusted political friends to jointly identify and collaborate on issues of common concern in order to help advance the bilateral relationship; • Develop a common agenda to shape the work of Afghan and Pakistani women lawmakers as they begin to collaborate on national and bilateral issues, like advancing the role of women in public affairs and the ongoing reconciliation talks with the Taliban; • Share knowledge about legal and administrative procedures that have proven successful in Pakistan and then can be successfully implemented in Afghanistan, in particular legislation aimed at protecting women’s rights and the development of institutions like the Pakistani Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) which

provides research support and capacity building programs for parliamentarians. EWI • F

This report summarizes the main conclusions of the delegation’s two-day visit. The first sec- T ies tion highlights the value of a regular, ongoing dialogue between Afghan and Pakistani women N ew org ING MPs; the second section outlines the concrete issues on which the women agreed they can and should work together; the third section summarizes participants’ recognition the need for greater cohesion and a common voice among Afghan women parliamentarians. ING org N ew

During the visit, participants agreed to the Islamabad Action Plan [see Annex I]. The plan out- T ies lines the participants’ commitment to establish women parliamentarians’ advocacy groups in both countries, and to work together on issues of common concern, such as an inclusive EWI • F EWI reconciliation process and countering militancy. Participants committed to a follow-up visit of 6 Pakistani women parliamentarians to Kabul in the fall of 2011 to monitor progress and deter- 7 Afghan women wait outside a mine a common agenda. polling station to cast their ballots for the parliamentary elections in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, September 18, 2010. The Need for Dialogue

Development of a common agenda will contribute hroughout the two days in Islamabad, but quotas do not bestow women parliamen- to stronger Afghan and Pakistani participants tarians with the same degree of authority and agreed that a regular dialogue be- influence as men. Women elected to fill quota Members of the two delegations. From left to right, in front: Razia Sadat, Nafisa Shah, Shinkai Karokhail, Gulalei Nur Safi, Azra participation tween women parliamentarians can seats are seldom perceived as more than Fazal Pechuho, Asila Wardak. Back row: Fouzia Ejaz Khan, Donya Aziz, Bushra Gohar, Tasneem Siddiqui, Tahira Aurangzeb, Tand should become an essential part of the mere token players. Quotas may also be used Farzana Mushtaq Ghani, Saira Afzal Tarar, Elay Ershad, Irina Bratosin of women bilateral relationship. Such a dialogue would to create a ceiling on the amount of women in lawmakers in allow participants to build confidence, share the national assembly and preclude women Women in National Parliaments the politics information and set joint agendas. from sitting on general seats (as was the case in the last parliamentary elections when even of the region, It is clear why a regular dialogue between Af- the women candidates who received more Percentage of female members of national legislatures as of June 30, 2011 including a ghan and Pakistani women parliamentarians votes than their male colleagues were as- would be mutually beneficial: women in both signed to quota, rather than general, seats). more active countries share common concerns and chal- 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% role in building lenges that serve as the basis for a vision of The quota system is also applied only to the regional cooperation. Namely, social and re- National Assemblies in both countries. Nei- POLAND peace and ligious norms in both states relegate women ther Afghanistan or Pakistan have women SAUDI ARABIA BELGIUM to more traditional roles with limited public judges in the Supreme Court, and Afghani- INDIA GERMANY stability. ITALY and political influence. Women in the public stan has only one female minister and very QATAR FINLAND sphere tend to be confined to ”soft” issues, few women in leading positions throughout JAPAN UGANDA

CHINA EWI • F like education and social welfare, and ex- the government apparatus. Therefore, dur- IRAN ICELAND cluded from hard political security dialogues. ing the discussion, participants recommend- THAILAND TANZANIA Through a regular dialogue, Afghan and ed that a quota system be initiated in other

T ies PHILIPPINES

CUBA N ew org ING Pakistani women lawmakers can contribute branches of government. LEBANON RUSSIA to confidence building and enhanced secu- SPAIN U.K. SOUTH AFRICA rity for both countries. Developing a common Despite the many problems faced by Paki- NIGERIA TURKEY agenda will also help women lawmakers par- stani women, Pakistan has been quite suc- ARGENTINA ticipate more strongly in the region’s politics, cessful in dealing with the challenges faced PAKISTAN SRI LANKA ING org N ew SWEDEN and take a more active role in building peace by women in public life. For example, it has U.S.A. T ies CANADA and stability. been possible for women to attain positions DENMARK of high authority, such as the late Prime Min- KUWAIT EWI • F EWI KAZAKHSTAN RWANDA In both Pakistan and Afghanistan, constitu- ister Benazir Bhutto and Fehmida Mirza, the AUSTRALIA tionally-mandated quotas systems ensure current Speaker of the National Assembly. BRAZIL 8 INDONESIA ANGOLA 9 that women have minimum representation in Not only were these women able to obtain IRAQ ALGERIA parliament: 60 of the 342 seats in the National eminent leadership positions, but they also FRANCE Assembly of Pakistan and 68 of the 249 seats were able to yield their influence and use MEXICO MOZAMBIQUE in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga are reserved for their authority to rally support and advance MALAYSIA ISRAEL AFGHANISTAN women. They are an important step towards the role of women. For example, the support Source: IPU equal access to decision-making positions, of the Speaker Mirza made it possible to establish Pakistan’s first multi-party caucus, Speaker Mirza committed to sharing legis- the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC). lative experiences as a practical support of Although the Pakistani experience has sig- Pakistan’s Parliament to the Afghan National nificant particularities of its own, it can be of Assembly, as well as to sending a letter to her value for the Afghans, and the Afghan partici- Afghan counterpart advocating for the cre- pants expressed a particular willingness to ation of an Afghan Women’s Caucus in the Participants look to the experience of Pakistani women National Assembly. MPs. were keen Participants called for a joint political agenda to share Successfully countering the misuse of re- for Afghan and Pakistani women lawmakers, ligious beliefs is a long-term process that noting that it would help strengthen the role passages from should encompass steps towards practical and influence of women parliamentarians on “There is no the Koran that cooperation on legislative issues. Partici- security relations. “It is vital to have a com- other option pants were keen to share passages from the mon understanding; this is why it is crucial to supported Koran that supported women’s and human establish a regular dialogue and regular vis- but for Afghan women’s and rights, and Afghan delegates looked to Paki- its,” said Dr. Fehmida Mirza. “There is no other and Pakistani stan for legislation and religious texts that option but for Afghan and Pakistani women human rights, could be used to support their political rights. lawmakers to work together if we would like women law- and Afghan to change the face of politics in the region. makers to During the delegation’s visit, Afghan par- And through the support of Parliament, delegates ticipants sought and received detailed in- women can contribute to reduce tensions in work together looked to formation from their Pakistani counterparts the region.” if we would like regarding practical examples of successful Pakistan for women-led and women-focused legislative During the discussions, participants agreed to change the legislation initiatives. The following pieces of legislation to: face of politics were shared with the Afghan women MPs: and religious Pakistan Family Law; Women in Distress and • Support the establishment of regu- in the region.” texts that Detention Fund Amendment; Bills on Protec- larized inter-parliamentary dialogue tion Against Harassment at the Workplace; as a formal mechanism to address Dr. Fehmida Mirza could be used Domestic Violence, Prevention and Protec- the bilateral trust deficit, such as Speaker of the tion Act; and the Women Honor Act to name parliamentary friendship groups em- National Assembly in support of of Pakistan a few. bedded within national parliaments; their political • Institutionalize dialogue between claims. Members of the WPC shared their experi- Afghan and Pakistani women law- ences in establishing a series of bodies that makers and, to that end, establish a provide a platform for advancing the role of broad-based consortium of women women in Pakistan’s political affairs, such as lawmakers within the Afghan Parlia- the WPC, the National Commission on the ment. This should enable women Status of Women, and the Benazir Income parliamentarians in Afghanistan to 2 Support Programme . The WPC, in particu- better influence policy making at the EWI • F lar, provides the necessary framework for national level. More detailed com- women to exert their collective influence mitments are outlined in the agreed- T ies on politics at the national level. Significant upon Islamabad Action Plan N ew org ING legislative advances have been made pos- [Annex 1]. sible as a result of the WPC, including Protec- tion against Harassment at Workplace Act The participants agreed that their future bi- (2009), the Women Honor Act (2009), and lateral dialogue should work to: ING org N ew

the Domestic Violence, Prevention and Pro- T ies tection Act (2009). Accordingly, the partici- • Build consensus on a common pants discussed in detail how the WPC was agenda; EWI • F EWI established and organized. • Bolster women parliamentarians’ credibility and visibility within their 10 11 respective countries so that they are 2 The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) offers less likely to be relegated to token financial assistance, with a particular focus on poverty positions; and alleviation of disadvantaged women. It was initiated • Build up the confidence and negoti- by government of Pakistan with an initial allocation of ating power of women parliamentar- Rs. 34 billion (approximately $425 million USD) for the Pakistani girl learning the Koran 2008-09 financial year. ians. An Afghan woman walks towards a market Working Together: in the old city of Kabul, Afghanistan Tackling Modernization

uring the visit, participants identified Reconciliation “Women several areas of common concern must be in including: countering anti-constitu- Possible reconciliation with the Taliban is an tional practices; promoting an inclu- internal Afghan issue, but has important im- negotiations Dsive and sustainable reconciliation process plications for Pakistan as well. Participants – we do not with the Taliban; and advancing cooperation agreed that women’s rights and role in public towards sustainable development in the Fed- life could be undermined by a reconciliation want to lose erally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). process that is not inclusive and does not ex- the achieve- plicitly protect the rights of women. Gulalei ments that Anti-Constitutional Practices Nur Safi, an Afghan MP and member of the High Peace Council stated: “Women must be we’ve made Important legislative advances in the status in negotiations – we do not want to lose the in these ten of women have been made in both Pakistan achievements that we’ve made in these ten and Afghanistan. The Constitution of Afghan- years.” As negotiations with the Taliban con- ye a r s .” istan guarantees equal rights for men and tinue, it is increasingly important that women Gulalei Nur Safi women, and the country has developed its be included in peace and security dialogues Afghan MP and first National Action Plan for the Implementa- to safeguard and develop the role of women member of the High tion of United Nations Security Council Reso- parliamentarians in Afghanistan’s public af- Peace Council lution 1325, which recommends increased fairs. participation of women in conflict prevention and peace processes. But anti-constitutional All participants were sensitive to the tremen- practices such as child marriages, acid burn- dous overall difficulties involved in reconcilia- ing, or honor killings persist. Women lawmak- tion and the crucial role of the bilateral relationship. President Zardari stressed the need ers in both countries have a strong role to EWI • F play in countering these anti-constitutional for an Afghan-led process supported by the practices and have resolved to work together international community. T ies in this regard. N ew org ING Women lawmakers from both Afghanistan The growth of religious fundamentalism and and Pakistan have a joint interest in working other factors that support anti-constitutional together towards reconciliation. Participants practices greatly affects citizen security in stressed the vital need for a successful out-

ING org N ew come, which will not be possible if women are both countries and was recognized as one T ies of the crucial impediments to peace and se- excluded. “Reconciliation and regional stabil- curity in the region. Participants discussed ity will not be sustainable if it excludes the EWI • F EWI concrete ways to counter fundamentalist in- perspective of half of the population” one par- terpretations and abuse of religious beliefs, ticipant stated. Reconciliation must be based 12 13 such as opening the public space for debates on a broad-based consensus in Afghanistan on these issues, identifying and engaging and supported by neighboring countries. Par- religious leaders willing to speak in such de- ticipants strongly advocated for the inclusion bates, and increasing the use of media and of women in all bilateral talks and relevant mobile telephones to raise awareness among bodies dealing with recommendations. The the population of their rights. Afghan High Peace Council under the Chair- A Long Road to Women’s Empowerment Dr. Fehmida Mirza is elected Mohtarma Benazir as the first woman speaker of Historic milestones from Pakistan and Afghanistan Bhutto becomes the the House, not only in Paki- first woman prime min- stan but in the entire Muslim Hina Rabbani Khar Begum Rana ister of Pakistan - and in World. Along-with her, 15 other becomes Pakistan’s Liaqat Ali Khan the entire Muslim World. Election of Dr. Be- women were also elected from first woman foreign is the first women gum Ashraf Abbas- the general seats. minister. provincial governor si as the first woman The first Constitution of the (in the province of deputy speaker in Islamic Republic of Pakistan Sindh). Pakistan’s parlia- provides 10 reserved seats Begum Naseem Wali mentary history. Samia Usman is for women in the single- Khan is the first gener- elected as the first Legal Framework Order 2002 Of the 18 private chamber Parliament (5 from aly elected woman MP woman senator. agrees to reserving 17% of member bills tabled in West Pakistan and 5 from (outside of the seats seats for women, devoting the house in 2010, 12 East Pakistan. reserved for women). 60 seats in the 342-Member are moved by women National Assembly and 17 in parliamentarians. the 100-Member Senate.

PAKISTAN

1928 1953 1956 1964 1970 1973 1977 1978 1988 1996 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2010 2011

AFGHANISTAN

First parliamen- Taliban seize control tary elections 2010 Elections: of Kabul and introduce 406 out of 2,514 Women make up over 60 since 1969: 328 General Mohammed hard-line version of candidates are Queen Soraya lifts her percent of the 10,000 stu- of the 2,707 Daud becomes prime Islam, banning women women (at least veil in public — the first minister and introduces dents at Kabul University. candidates are from education, work The loya jirga ratifies the 68 seats are re- time an Afghan women a number of social re- women. and public life. new constitution proclaim- served for women). had ever done so. forms, such as abolition The constitution ing that all Afghan citizens, of purdah (practice of gives women the men and women, “have secluding women from right to vote, and Habiba Sarobi be- equal rights and duties public view). allows them to comes Afghanistan’s before the law.” enter politics. first woman governor.

manship of former Afghan President Burhan- Cooperation in the Federally Success in supporting the develop- of checks and balances imposed uddin Rabbani should proactively pursue the ment of the FATA region will have on NGOs working in the region.

inclusion of women in all its activities. Administered Tribal Areas impact not only on Pakistan but will Participants also recommended EWI • F (FATA) also allow for transferable practices that donors fulfill their aid commit- The Speaker of the House, Fehmida Mirza, to Afghanistan’s border regions; ments and invest the entire amount T ies highlighted the contributions women make in The FATA region is characterized by some of • Invest in human capital: Education, pledged. For example, although N ew org ING ensuring success of political outcomes when the lowest levels of economic and social de- especially for girls, was identified the U.S. committed $750 million in they play a stronger role. For example, 60% velopment in Pakistan and some of the high- as the main developmental priority assistance to the FATA region for of the private member bills tabled in the Paki- est levels of militancy. Participants pointed for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. the 2007-2011 period, by the end of stani Parliament are undertaken by women out that stability and security in the FATA Participants said that public educa- FY 2009, less than $150 million had ING org N ew lawmakers, who are among the most active region is key to peace in both countries and tion is a necessary counter to the actually been distributed. T ies parliamentarians, regularly putting forward committed to making the achievement of this influence of madrassas; • Support for private investment: legislative proposals, bills and amendments • Increased accountability and Participants acknowledged the

EWI • F EWI a policy priority. on all topics. This sentiment was reiterated transparency of funds to enhance potentially positive role the private in meeting with President Zardari and with aid effectiveness: Participants ex- sector could play in fostering devel- 14 According to participants, the most impor- 15 Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each tant priorities for addressing the FATA issue pressed frustration about the lack of opment in the FATA region. Private pledged their support to advocate for the are: dividends from the billions of dollars sector investments could provide a inclusion of women in future reconciliation • Sustainable development: Af- of pledged investments in the region longer-term alternative to interna- efforts and more broadly in bilateral security- ghanistan and Pakistani lawmakers and called upon efforts for genu- tional aid funds. related dialogues. must work together on harnessing ine, sustained development. There the region’s developmental capacity. should be a more efficient system Strengthening the Role of Afghan Women MPs in Political Processes

By reaching a common position, he Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of leverage in political debates, includ- Pakistan demonstrates the exponen- ing debates on security issues. By women can tial impact that women parliamen- reaching a common position, women Meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari advocate for tarians can have when they form an can advocate for and achieve signifi- Torganized and cohesive group. Participants cant legislative advances towards and achieve at the meetings agreed that women are the the improvement of the social status President Zardari met the Afghan and Pakistani participants and expressed his firm commitment to supporting significant drivers of their own future and recognized the of women in Afghan society. This will women’s full participation in all regional peace and security processes. He spoke proudly of the political strides far need for women in Afghanistan to have a focal increase women lawmakers’ power beyond gender-specific issues made by Pakistani women, not least his late wife Benazir Bhutto. Bhutto, assassinated legislative point and a common agenda: only by working to push for legislative reforms and in 2007, was the first female prime minister of the Pakistan - and in the entire Muslim world. advances together can Afghan women lawmakers suc- raise their visibility nationally and ceed in upholding the achievements of the internationally; Zardari declared, “The world would be a better place if more women were in positions of power and women of the towards the last ten years. Participants agreed that an Af- • Give greater visibility and recog- region were brought closer together. Bringing together of women of the region will make this region more tolerant, improvement ghan Women’s Parliamentary Caucus should nition to women lawmakers in the more peaceful and more secure.” be established to: international community. The cau- of the social cus can help women lawmakers es- Delegates discussed a range of topics with President Zardari, including bilateral trade, education for Afghan women status of • Engage members from across tablish formal contact with and gain and girls and, most pressingly, the need to jointly address common challenges for Afghans and Pakistanis. Stronger different parliamentary commit- support from legislators worldwide. ties between women parliamentarians were seen as a necessary way to improve bilateral relations. women in Af- tees to advocate for a commonly The caucus will be well-placed to ghan society. agreed-upon agenda and main- receive official delegations that can stream priority political issues publicly express their support for the lines in particular, contribute to • The lack of official and logistical sup- into all debates. Because of the inclusion and active participation of tense relations. Several lawmakers port from the highest political level in current structure of the Afghan par- women lawmakers in decision-mak- have tried to revive the previously the parliament – in particular, from liament, lawmakers can be part of ing processes. The Parliamentarians established Women’s Parliamentary the Speaker of the House – contrib- EWI • F only one committee, onto which they Network for Conflict Prevention Caucus, but efforts to this end have utes to this stalemate. Without the

T ies are voted by their peers. A Women’s could help facilitate communication not been successful because of official endorsement of or support ING N ew org ING Parliamentary Caucus would provide between the caucus and lawmakers these internal divisions. This situ- from the Speaker of the House, and an informal space to bring together worldwide, and help the initiative ation is further complicated by the the designation of a meeting space women lawmakers, without the to garner necessary international power struggle between leading within the parliament, it will be dif- restrictions that come with being exposure and support. women political figures who have the ficult for a caucus to be established formally associated with a commit- charisma and leadership appeal to and run efficiently. ING org N ew tee, such as the existing Women’s garner support, thereby hindering T ies Affairs Committee, thereby allowing Challenges the formation of coalitions within the In spite of significant challenges and di-

EWI • F EWI for the inclusion of participants from parliament; vergence of views regarding the “how” and Past attempts to establish networks or a broader spectrum of backgrounds • The long history of armed conflict “when” a caucus should be established, par- groups of women lawmakers in Afghanistan and affiliations; has deeply eroded confidence ticipants clearly agreed that women lawmak- 16 have faced the following challenges, which 17 • Provide a focal point for coordi- among and between Afghan com- ers in Afghanistan need to establish such a need to be addressed in order for the Af- nating actions within the Afghan munities. Lack of confidence and body. Given concern over the outcome of ne- ghan’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus to Parliament. This will contribute to trust is currently part of the day-to- gotiations with the Taliban, this is a vital mo- become a reality: a stronger involvement of women in day relations in the Afghan Parlia- ment for women lawmakers to once again try • Internal divisions among Afghan security dialogues and enhance their ment, and this equally hinders to launch an initiative that can leverage their women MPs, along ethnic and tribal attempts at coalition building; collective influence and power. Conclusions and Annex I Next Steps Islamabad Action Plan n June 3 and 4, 2011, the first Afghan Commending the Honorable Speaker of the Na- Women Parliamentarians delegation vis- tional Assembly of Pakistan and the Women’s Par- ited Pakistan for a series of meetings with liamentary Caucus for their efforts and leadership fghan and Pakistani women parlia- c. Increase people-to-people representatives of Pakistan’s National As- on increasing the visibility and contribution of wom- Osembly and government. The delegation contrib- en in Parliament; mentarians should address common contact: Visa relaxation pro- challenges and build their leverage grams, educational exchanges uted to building confidence and trust between the in national and regional political pro- and sports programs (among two countries and advanced the role of women law- Appreciating the EastWest Institute for the first-ev- Acesses, which is why participants committed other proposals) would help makers in peace and security in the region. The del- er initiative that brings together women parliamen- Create a to: foster positive relationships, egation was hosted by the Women’s Parliamentary tarians from Afghanistan and Pakistan to engage in focal group give a “human face” to politi- Caucus of the National Assembly of Pakistan and advocacy for peace and security in the region; of Afghan 1. Creating a focal group of Afghan cal discussions, and contrib- facilitated by the EastWest Institute. and Pakistani women lawmakers ute to improving personal Acknowledging that more efforts have to be made and Paki- committed to regional peace and relations between Afghans As an outcome of the two days discussions, the par- and that the establishment of an ongoing dialogue stani women security, and to engaging in a regular and Pakistanis. ticipating lawmakers adopted the following action is necessary. inter-parliamentary dialogue, which plan: lawmakers includes lawmakers from different 4. Participants agreed that there needs Commits to: committed political parties, perspectives, lan- to be a collective body for Afghan Recognizing the importance of women lawmakers guages and ethnic groups. A steering women parliamentarians, like a in strengthening relations between Afghanistan and • The Afghan delegation will activate the to regional committee for the group consisting women’s parliamentary group or Pakistan, and of agreeing on a common strategic vi- process of reviving an inclusive Women peace and se- of three women parliamentarians caucus. To this end, participants sion for sustainable peace in the region; Parliamentary Caucus, and the Women’s from each country will also be cre- agreed to: Parliamentary Caucus of Pakistan will curity, and to ated. Noting that this will require significant and ongo- extend its full support; engaging in a a. Organize broad consultations ing efforts from both countries and cannot be done • Actively promote a sustained dialogue 2. This focal group shall meet biannu- with women lawmakers from without the active engagement of women parlia- between women parliamentarians be- regular inter- ally to develop and address a jointly all ethnic and political divides, mentarians; tween both countries, including a return parliamenta- agreed-upon agenda of priority and rally support for this visit to Kabul by a select group of Pakistani issues, especially relating to peace process from leading women Stressing that the shared legacy of culture, history, women parliamentarians in the autumn of ry dialogue. and security, and the protection and lawmakers; language and religion provides the foundation for a 2011; promotion of women’s rights (par- b. Identify representatives and common understanding to address the challenges; • Develop an effective and sustainable ticularly women’s inclusion in peace like-minded people who are bilateral focal group of women parliamen- negotiations and security dialogues). ready to help drive the pro- Recalling the importance of an inclusive approach tarians, which is responsive to the core to ensure long and durable results, and the vital issues in relationships between Pakistan cess forward, and create an EWI • F 3. The focal group will determine prior- inclusive steering committee. contribution that women parliamentarians make to and Afghanistan, especially relating to ity issues of joint-advocacy within The committee should have a the democratic process; peace and security. A steering commit- T ies their respective National Assem- broad-based representation, tee will be established, consisting of three N ew org ING blies. Preliminary advocacy points including members from a Re-emphasizing that conflict impacts women dif- women parliamentarians each from the identified during the Islamabad range of ethnic divisions and ferently than men and that women play a unique two countries; meetings were: political affiliations; role in conflict resolution, peacemaking and peace- • Develop a jointly agreed agenda of priority c. Define the internal work building; issues, especially the protection and pro-

ING org N ew motion of women’s rights, that should be a. Education: At least one-third dynamics, mechanisms and T ies of the scholarships given to procedures for decision mak- Stressing the importance of building a strong re- advocated for by both women lawmakers Afghan students to study in ing; and gional network of women parliamentarians from Af- in their respective National Assemblies; EWI • F EWI Pakistan should be reserved d. Set an agenda that includes ghanistan and Pakistan to contribute to sustainable • Act as an advocacy group in both coun- for women. agreed-upon issues for collec- peace and stability in the region; tries for the inclusion of women in all 18 b. Representation: A quota tive work. Topics of common peace negotiations and security dialogues; 19 system should be developed concern which readily invite Welcoming the first Afghan women parliamentar- • Strengthen the capacity of Afghan and to ensure that women are agreement, such as women’s ians delegation to Pakistan as a stepping stone in Pakistani women lawmakers through represented in all branches health or education, should be building relations and cooperation between the two regular policy briefings and advocacy op- of government, including the prioritized. countries; portunities with regional and international judiciary and executive. lawmakers. EWI Board of Directors

Addison Fischer (U.S.) Zuhal Kurt (Turkey) Ramzi H. Sanbar (U.K.) Chairman and Co-Founder CEO Chairman Planet Heritage Foundation Kurt Enterprises Sanbar Development Corporation, S.A. Adel Ghazzawi (U.A.E.) Christine Loh (China) OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMaN Founder Chief Executive Officer Ikram Sehgal (Pakistan) CONEKTAS Civic Exchange, Hong Kong Chairman Security and Management Services Francis Finlay (U.K.) Ross Perot, Jr. (U.S.) Armen Sarkissian (Armenia) Melissa Hathaway (U.S.) Ma Zhengang (China) EWI Co-Chairman EWI Co-Chairman EWI Vice-Chairman President President Kanwal Sibal (India) Former Chairman, Chairman, Hillwood Development Eurasia House International Hathaway Global Strategies, LLC; China Institute of Former Foreign Secretary of India Clay Finlay LLC Company, LLC; Former Prime Minister of Armenia Former Acting Senior International Studies Henry J. Smith (U.S.) Member of Board of Directors, Dell, Inc. Director for Cyberspace Michael Maples (U.S.) Chief Executive Officer U.S. National Security Council Former Executive Vice President Bud Smith Organization, Inc. Stephen B. Heintz (U.S.) Microsoft Corporation Hilton Smith, Jr. (U.S.) OFFICErs President F. Francis Najafi (U.S.) President and CEO Rockefeller Brothers Fund Chief Executive Officer East Bay Co., Ltd. John Edwin Mroz (U.S.) Mark Maletz (U.S.) R. William Ide III (U.S.) Leo Schenker (U.S.) Emil Hubinak (Slovak Republic) Pivotal Group President and CEO Chair of the Executive Counsel and Secretary EWI Treasurer William Ury (U.S.) Chairman and CEO EastWest Institute Committee of EWI Partner, McKenna Senior Executive Frank Neuman (U.S.) Director Logomotion Board of Directors Long & Aldridge LLP Vice President, Central President Global Negotiation Project Senior Fellow, Harvard National-Gottesmann, Inc. John Hurley (U.S.) AM-TAK International at Harvard Law School Business School Managing Partner Yousef Al Otaiba (U.A.E.) Pierre Vimont (France) Cavalry Asset Management Ambassador Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger (Germany) Embassy of the United Arab Embassy of the Republic of MEMBERS Chairman Emirates in Washington D.C. France in the United States Munich Security Conference Sarah Perot (U.S.) Alexander Voloshin (Russia) EWI • F Martti Ahtisaari (Finland) Sir Peter Bonfield (U.K.) Michael Chertoff (U.S.) James L. Jones (U.S.) Director and Co-Chair Chairman of the Board of Directors Former President of Finland Chairman Co-founder and Managing Principal Former United States for Development OJSC Uralkali T ies

NXP Semiconductors Chertoff Group National Security Advisor Dallas Center for Performing Arts N ew org ING Tewodros Ashenafi (Ethiopia) Charles F. Wald (U.S.) Chairman & CEO Peter Castenfelt (U.K.) Craig Cogut (U.S.) Haifa Al Kaylani (U.K.) Louise Richardson (U.S.) DoD Director, Federal Southwest Energy (HK) Ltd. Chairman Founder & Co-Managing Partner Founder & Chairperson Principal Government Services Archipelago Enterprises, Ltd. Pegasus Capital Advisors Arab International Women’s Forum University of St Andrews Deloitte Services LLP Jerald T. Baldridge (U.S.) ING org N ew Chairman Maria Livanos Cattaui David Cohen (U.K.) Donald Kendall, Jr. (U.S.) John R. Robinson (U.S.) Zhou Wenzhong (China) T ies Republic Energy Inc. (Switzerland) Chairman Chief Executive Officer Co-Founder Secretary-General

EWI • F EWI Former Secretary-General F&C REIT Property Management High Country Passage L.P. Natural Resources Defense Council Boao Forum for Asia Thor Bjorgolfsson (Iceland) International Chamber of Commerce 20 Chairman Joel Cowan (U.S.) George F. Russell, Jr. (U.S.) 21 Novator Mark Chandler (U.S.) Professor Chairman Emeritus Chairman and CEO Georgia Institute of Technology Russell Investment Group; Biophysical Founder, Russell 20-20 NON-BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Marshall Bennett (U.S.) J. Dickson Rogers (U.S.) George Sheer (U.S.) President President President (retired) Marshall Bennett Enterprises Dickson Partners, L.L.C. Salamander USA & Canada Founder & CEO John A. Roberts, Jr. (U.S.) Laurent Roux (U.S.) International Consulting Group, USA President and CEO Founder Chilmark Enterprises L.L.C. Gallatin Wealth Management, LLC Bengt Westergren (Sweden) President ( ret. ) AIG Central Europe & the Former Soviet Union

CHAIRMEN EMERITI

Berthold Beitz (Germany) Hans-Dietrich Genscher Whitney MacMillan (U.S.) President (Germany) Former Chairman & CEO Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Former Vice Chancellor Cargill, Inc. Halbach-Stiftung and Minister of Foreign Ira D. Wallach* (U.S.) Affairs of Germany Ivan T. Berend (Hungary) EWI Co-Founder Professor Donald M. Kendall (U.S.) University of California Former Chairman & CEO at Los Angeles PepsiCo., Inc.

DIRECTORS EMERITI

Jan Krzysztof Bielecki (Poland) Maria-Pia Kothbauer Mitchell I. Sonkin (U.S.) Chief Executive Officer (Liechtenstein) Managing Director Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A. Ambassador MBIA Insurance Corporation Former Prime Minister of Poland Embassy of Liechtenstein Thorvald Stoltenberg (Norway) to Austria, the OSCE and the Emil Constantinescu (Romania) Former Minister of Foreign T ies United Nations in Vienna Institute for Regional Cooperation Affairs of Norway and Conflict Prevention William E. Murray* (U.S.) Liener Temerlin (U.S.) Former President of Romania Chairman Chairman The Samuel Freeman Trust William D. Dearstyne (U.S.) Temerlin Consulting ING org N ew Former Company Group Chairman John J. Roberts (U.S.) John C. Whitehead (U.S.) Johnson & Johnson Senior Advisor Former Co-Chairman of

EWI • F EWI American International John W. Kluge* (U.S.) Goldman Sachs Group (AIG) Chairman of the Board Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State 22 Metromedia International Group Daniel Rose (U.S.) Chairman Rose Associates, Inc.

* Deceased Founded in 1980, the EastWest Institute is a global, action-oriented, think-and-do tank. EWI tackles the toughest international problems by:

Convening for discreet conversations representatives of institutions and nations that do not normally cooperate. EWI serves as a trusted global hub for back-channel “Track 2” diplomacy, and also organizes public forums to address peace and security issues.

Reframing issues to look for win-win solutions. Based on our special relations with Russia, China, the United States, Europe, and other powers, EWI brings together dis- parate viewpoints to promote collaboration for positive change.

Mobilizing networks of key individuals from both the public and private sectors. EWI leverages its access to intellectual entrepreneurs and business and policy leaders around the world to defuse current conflicts and prevent future flare-ups.

The EastWest Institute is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with offices in New York, Brussels and Moscow. Our fiercely-guarded independence is en- sured by the diversity of our international board of directors and our supporters.

EWI Brussels Center EWI Moscow Center EWI New York Center Rue de Trèves, 59-61 Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street 11 East 26th Street Brussels 1040 7/5, Building 1, 6th Floor 20th Floor Belgium Moscow, 125009 New York, NY 10010 32-2-743-4610 Russia, +7-495-2347797 U.S.A. 1-212-824-4100