Special Session – Between Hope and Fear: Afghan Women and Girls in Political Transition
This page contains a description, concept note, timetable, and bios of speakers and moderators.
Description
The Special Session entitled ‘Between Hope and Fear: Afghan Women and Girls in Political Transition’ took place on Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 09:00 – 11:00 GMT (UK). This equates to 13:00 – 15:00 GMT+4 in Georgia, 13:30 – 15:30 GMT+4:30 in Afghanistan, and 14:00 – 16:00 PST/ GMT+5 in Pakistan.
This knowledge exchange engagement activity was part of the Special Session Webinar Series on Women’s Stories of Survival, Innovation, Resilience and Development.
Facilitated by Dr. Ayse Yildiz (School of Business, University of Leicester) and Dr. Inshah Malik (New Vision University and ADN-Regional Coordinator, Afghanistan), this Special Session brought together scholars, practitioners and humanitarian first responders to understand the issue of political transition through the experiences of Afghan women and girls on International Women’s Day.
The panel aimed to explore the following:
- Understanding women and girls’ experiences of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, especially in terms of political, social and cultural changes and raising awareness about challenges faced by Afghan women and girls.
- Understanding women and girls’ lives as they have been set in transition, whether at home with the changing political system or through migration for safety and education, especially to highlight stories of resilience and determination.
- Ascertaining what kind of support women and girls need both inside and outside of Afghanistan to continue to affect change in their home country and to improve their lives, especially in terms of access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Concept Note
For more information on this Special Session, please read our concept note via the link below:
Concept Note – Between Hope and Fear: Afghan Women and Girls in Political Transition
Published: 15 February 2023
Authors: Dr. Inshah Malik and Dr. Ayse Yildiz
Timetable
| Housekeeping
Dr. Nimra Choudhary, Avoidable Deaths Network |
| Welcome
Professor Heiko Balzter, Institute for Environmental Futures Dr. Nibedita Ray Bennett, Avoidable Deaths Network |
| Political Transition and Women in Afghanistan: An Overview
Mr. Niamatullah Zafary |
| Impact of Transition on Sexual and Reproductive Health Access
Dr. Ritu Mahendru |
| Impact of Transition on Changing Economic Conditions and Opportunity for Women in Afghanistan
Ms. Wajiha Timori |
| Impact of Transition on Women’s Psychological Health
Ms. Fakhria Naistani |
| Impact of Transition on Women and Girls’ Education in Afghanistan
Ms. Sania Amin Taheri |
| Q&A and Interactive Discussion
Dr. Inshah Malik, New Vision University Dr. Ayse Yildiz, University of Leicester |
| Concluding Remarks
Dr. Nibedita Ray Bennett, Avoidable Deaths Network |
Speakers and Moderators
Speakers
Niamatullah Zafary, PhD candidate. 2021-22 Chevening scholar and Sussex graduate. Former human development coordinator at UNDP.
Dr. Ritu Mahendru is the Executive Director of Vashi Impact Group. She is a human and women rights defender based out of England. She has worked extensively on Sexual and Reproductive Health Access in Afghanistan.
Fakhria Naistani is a psychologist and former senior Project assistant for psychosocial reintegration at IOM-UN. Queen Mary University of London graduate.
Wajiha Timori is an admitted lawyer and former legal advisor to Afghanistan Central Bank. She holds an LLB and MIR degree and is pursuing an LLM with AUCA.
Sania Amin Taheri is a senior compliance Officer at the Afghanistan Central Bank and a proud graduate of a Master in International Relations.
Professor Heiko Balzter is the Director of the Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester, undertaking transdisciplinary research into the climate and species extinction crisis across social, physical and health sciences.
Dr. Nibedita Ray-Bennett is an Associate Professor in Risk Management at the University of Leicester. She is also the Founding President and Convenor of the Avoidable Deaths Network.
Moderators
Dr. Inshah Malik is an Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the New Vision University in Georgia and an ADN Regional Coordinator for Afghanistan. She holds a PhD in Political Theory and Gender Studies.
Dr. Ayse Yildiz is a Lecturer in Risk at the University of Leicester’s School of Business. She holds an PhD in Disaster Risk Reduction and an Masters in Crisis and Disaster Management.