NEW YORK: Minister of State for International Cooperation HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater participated in a special event on women's engagement in Afghanistan's future, organised by Qatar in partnership with the Republic of Ireland, the Republic of Indonesia and the Swiss Confederation, in the presence of Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, and Nouf Khalid Al Suwaidi, Acting Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Al Khater said in a speech that empowering women and integrating them into the future of Afghanistan are among Qatar's priorities and long-term efforts.
She reiterated Qatar's clear and firm position on the need to respect and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of women, girls and all members of the Afghan people, in line with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, explaining that these rights include the right to education, economic participation and other freedoms necessary for development and societal progress in Afghanistan.
"As Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to education, we remain committed to ensuring that all Afghans have access to this basic right,” she added.
She pointed out that Qatar has pledged to provide more than $75 million to support Afghanistan, in addition to its commitment to several projects to support Afghan women, including scholarship programs, funding training programs in various fields, including the medical sectors, hosting the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Doha, and supporting the reopening of girls’ schools in Afghanistan.
She pointed out that Qatar hosted the third UN meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan last June, noting that the discussions highlighted the need for a unified approach to address issues related to the humanitarian situation, the rights of women and girls, and security and stability in Afghanistan.