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In the context of the European �Ϸ�������վ's Gender Equality Week, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality jointly with the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan held a Public Hearing on 'Afghan Women as Peace Builders and Community Leaders' on Thursday. Five Afghan women, artists, women's rights activists, school founders and entrepreneurs, gave evidence about their projects, the current situation of women under the Taliban authorities and their expectations to the European Union.

After the meeting, both Chairs Evelyn Regner (S&D, AT) and Petras Auštrevičius (Renew. LT) issued this statement:

"After yesterday's authentic statements, we express our deepest concerns about the human rights' situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. This relates notably to the education sector and professional activities. Therefore, we are convinced that Afghan women and girls should be placed at the centre of the EU's contacts with the Taliban authorities and amongst the priorities of �Ϸ�������վ's activities. We remind the EU of the conditionality of any operational engagement with the Taliban beyond humanitarian assistance. In this context, we propose the establishment of a human rights monitoring mechanism and a fact finding mission, if the situation allows.

We urge Member States to issue more refugee visas and assist women at risk in departing Afghanistan. We also reiterate our urgent call to the EU and Member States for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and the neighbouring countries. In particular, children, youth and women should have access to education and health care. The closing of girls' schools due to a shortage of female teachers constitutes an unacceptable pretext. Furthermore, we support the plea of Afghan women to the EU to facilitate their participation as equal negotiators, where and whenever their future is decided. The forming of a future Afghanistan must reflect all parts of the society, including Afghan women. In this context, involving Muslim countries where girls and women have access to education and to professional activities and play a role in their societies are of utmost importance. Therefore, in order to lead by example and to be more convincing, EU and Member States delegations communicating with the Taliban must include female members."

MEPs contacts:

Office of Ms Evelyn_Regner, Chair of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, tel. +32 2 284 54 76, e-mail: evelyn.regner@europarl.europa.eu

Office of Mr Petras Auštrevičius, Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, tel. +32 2 284 56 11, e-mail: petras.austrevicius@ep.europa.eu