The Afghan Women's Network (AWN) on Tuesday called the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) between Kabul and Washington a step toward preserving and building upon the progress made on women's issues in Afghanistan over the last decade.
"If the BSA isn't signed, women's achievements over the past decade will be damaged," Chair of the AWN Haseena Safi said. "The BSA should be signed, because women's contribution in the national economic, social and political spheres is declining every day."
The security pact would ensure a close military partnership between the U.S. and Afghanistan after the NATO combat mission ends in 2014. It would keep a residual force of foreign troops in Afghanistan as well as lock-in some 4.1 billion USD in military aid.
At the moment, the BSA remains in the hands of President Hamid Karzai, who has said that he will not sign the agreement until the U.S. meets certain preconditions despite the Loya Jirga voting to approve the accord over a week ago.
"We ask that the president sign the BSA as soon as possible," MP and women's activist Farkhunda Zahra Naderi said. "Women and children would face more challenges if the BSA is not singed."
The U.S. has demanded the agreement be signed before the end of year, so it can make plans for its residual troops.
Karzai's tactics have garnered him widespread criticism amongst Afghan politicians and security experts who wish to see continued cooperation between Kabul and Washington.