VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The International Conference on Afghan Women's Education (ICAWE) meeting was held in Nusa Dua, Bali on Thursday, (08/12). The meeting specifically discussed access to education for Afghan women.

The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi at a press conference on ICAWE in Bali, Thursday mentioned that there were five main points discussed at ICAWE 2022, including to update the current situation in Afghanistan, reaffirming support to all Afghan people without exception, to reaffirm our support to the rights of women, in particular education for women, to identify gaps and gather resources to support women’s education in Afghanistan and to design ways forward.

This first meeting produced the Bali Message of ICAWE document, which basically provides strong support and solidarity to Afghan women in obtaining an education.

“I firmly believe, investing in women means investing in a brighter future. Given the opportunities, women can make a critical contribution to society. And I am very glad, many of us here also share the same views. According to UN Women, more than 11 million Afghan women and girls are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. And the data from UNDP says that restrictions on women could cost Afghan’s economy of USD 1 billion or 5% of its GDP. While the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index 2021 puts Afghanistan last out of 156 countries,” Minister Retno explained.

Moreover, the  2022 ICAWE meeting was not only attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi but also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Lulwah al-Khatir, representatives from 38 countries, four international organizations, business circles, a number of philanthropists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

“I really appreciate it and I would like to thank the government of Indonesia for hosting us today for the leadership I would like to thank you Minister Marsudi specifically for your leadership on this very important portfolio.  The portfolio not only for  Afghan women, I think Muslim women at large as well,” Lulwah noted.

Lulwah al-Khatir also appreciated Indonesia as the host of ICAWE which became a discussion event that was considered very important for the fate of women in Afghanistan and other countries. Lulwah also explained that one of the most important results of ICAWE 2022 is the scholarship program and economic empowerment cooperation for women in Afghanistan// RRIVOI/ AF.