Women who work outside their homes are seen as targets to be hunted and harassment of them should end, Afghanistan’s president Ashraf Ghani said on Wednesday in his address celebrating International Women’s Day.
 
He said women’s contributions to institutions have positive implications for the development of the nation and warned that the National Unity Government (NUG) will not tolerate anti-women sentiments.
 
Ghani’s CEO Abdullah Abdullah also reiterated his call for support in the development of women.
 
“While we celebrate Women’s Day, we have also made some progress in the empowerment of women in various spheres, but these gains are not sufficient,” said Abdullah.
 
The gathering was also attended by Afghanistan’s first lady Rula Ghani, high ranking government officials, women’s rights activists and government leaders.
 
Participants at the gathering stressed the need for the elimination of violence against the women.
 
“At a time where there is a crisis and with the prevailing situation deteriorating, women who work outside the homes, are seen as targets to be hunted. Immoral eyes find the opportunity to diminish the status and dignity of women. That leads to anti-women sentiments and harassment,” said Ghani.
 
President Ghani also referred to the issue of Electronic Identity Cards (e-NIC) and said that the role of women in the elections will be decisive.
 
“Now that the electronic identity cards are expected to be introduced, women should get their cards to exercise their rights,” said Ghani.
 
The president said that 60 literacy rate among the males as opposed to 20 percent literacy among the female is an injustice and indicates discrimination against the women.
 
“Now we can claim that a legal framework for women exists,” said minister of women affairs Dilbar Nazari.