A number of Presidential contenders attended a women's advocacy conference in Kabul on Sunday in which they stressed the importance of an expanded role for women in public life in Afghanistan and improvement in the way women's rights are protected by the law.
The gathering was organized by the Women's Political Rights and Advocacy Group. Leaders of the activist group handed a draft enlisting the essential rights of women to the Presidential candidates during the conference.
"The issue of women rights is critical for society," Presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah said. "Considering the current situation, if we wish for better lives for our citizens, the country cannot not surpass its challenges without addressing women's rights."
Abdullah emphasized the need for the law to go beyond paper, and to be better enforced when it comes to protecting the rights of women.
Presidential candidate Sardar Nader Naeem discussed how his administration would prioritize preventing violence against women if he was to be elected.
"Our approach to fighting violence against women would be serious, we would never let the rights of a woman and the rights of the Afghan nation violated," Naeem said.
The First Vice President of Presidential candidate Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf, Abdul Wahab Orfan, focused on the role of women in society and expressed satisfaction with the progress that has come to women in Afghanistan.
"Women have a principle role in economic issues that no one can reject," he said. "And the women have had strong roles in terms of employement opportunities."
The activists from the Women's Political Rights and Advocacy Group gave a seven paragraph essay on women's rights to the candidates to review at the conference.
"Three critical issues were addressed in the draft: the first one was women's presence in the judiciary system of the government, the second was supporting women in higher education, and finally, approval of the law on elimination of violence against women," said activist Hamida Wardak.
The advocacy group urged the Presidential hopefuls to respect and implement the commitments they make on the campaign trail ot the women of Afghanistan.
As the NATO coalition withdraws this year, many have expressed anxieties about the future of women's rights in Afghanistan, afraid the progress that has been made since the fall of the Taliban regime could be rolled back once foreign troops are gone.