The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) is set to host an event on August 22 focused on geopolitics and women’s rights activism in Afghanistan, Amu reported. This gathering will feature insights from PRIO Global Fellow Jacqui True, who will explore the geopolitical narratives surrounding the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the counter-narrative of women’s rights activism.
True emphasized that gendered narratives are deeply political and significantly influence decisions about war and peace.
“Such geopolitical narratives both enable the protection of women’s rights and violate them,” True stated. “Women’s rights have been used as a rhetorical device by security policymakers to justify foreign intervention or withdrawal.”
True's presentation will explore how changing narratives about “Afghan women” shaped U.S. policy on Afghanistan from 2018 to 2021, which contributed to the Taliban's return to power. PRIO emphasized that the U.S. withdrawal prompted a counter-narrative advocating for universal human rights, inclusive peace, and international recognition of the “gender apartheid” situation in Afghanistan.
Despite the end of the war, True argues that these counter-narratives, backed by political strategies, remain essential for empowering marginalized women and legitimizing their activism against ongoing gender-based oppression in Afghanistan.
After True's talk, a panel will examine women’s activism in Afghanistan and how gendered and geopolitical narratives impact political realities and foreign policy decisions.
This event takes place amid increasing restrictions on women in Afghanistan imposed by the Taliban, who have deprived women of education and work opportunities. Recently, female public servants, including school teachers above grade six, have seen their salaries reduced to 5,000 Afghanis ($70).
Founded in 1959, the Norwegian institute PRIO is an independent research organization that combines fundamental research with policy-relevant studies. Beyond research, PRIO offers graduate training and promotes peace through conflict resolution, dialogue, reconciliation, public information, and policymaking. The institute operates primarily in English.
PRIO focuses on studying the factors that promote peaceful relations between states, groups, and individuals. Their research delves into how societies unite or divide, the causes and resolutions of conflicts, the impact of various forms of violence, and how societies manage and respond to crises. PRIO tracks general trends, seeks to understand underlying processes, and provides insights for practical solutions.
The institute is dedicated to academic excellence, aiming to advance theoretical knowledge, enhance research methods, and share its findings broadly. PRIO's work is supported by project-based funding from scientific and policy-oriented sources. As an independent, internationally oriented-foundation, PRIO collaborates with a global network of partners.
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