Each year International Peace Day is celebrated with a specific theme and for this year the theme is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and dignity for All”. The objective behind this theme is to mobilize people all around the globe to support refugees. Peace is a process to transform conflicts by peaceful means that re-establishes relationships, heals trauma, addresses reconciliation and creates social systems that serve the needs of the whole population and the constructive resolution of conflict. It is a process that supports mutual understanding, explores shared values, generates respect for others.
EQUALITY for Peace and Development (EPD) has always been instrumental in celebrating International Peace Day on September 21. EPD held conferences in 15 provinces of Afghanistan inviting representatives of provincial councils, justice department, the governor office, women’s affair department, civil society, community member, media and many other governmental and non-governmental institution to mark this event and demonstrate their commitment to support peace at the grass root and policy level. EQUALITY for Peace and Development has also designed posters to broadcast the international theme for this year and encourage public to join peace process.
The events in all of the provinces were impressive especially in Helmand and Paktia. In Helmand, the PWN along with the prominent figures in the province celebrated this occasion and the representatives of the provincial peace committee stressed on their mission of women inclusion in peace process and achieving sustainable peace. PWN in Paktia, gathered more than 70 participants and the prominent characteristics as Deputy Governor, Head of Provincial Council, Head of Police Headquarter and many other well-known representatives of governmental and non-governmental entities delivered speeches to commemorate this occasion and stress on their commitment for peace building.
The events emphasized that the authorities should pay attention to betterment of situation of IDPs especially in Kunduz and Faryab where volatile situation is causing increase in number of families who are forced to flee their homes. Hundreds of families including women and children have been displaced and move to other districts or provinces and they are living dire poverty and bad economic and health conditions.