PRESS RELEASE
March 8, 2000

Statement by the Spokesperson on the occasion of the International Women's
Day, 8th March

The Islamic State of Afghanistan, rejoicing at observance of the International Women's Day, should like to congratulate the women and girls of Afghanistan and of the world on the occasion.

The Islamic State of Afghanistan steadfastly believes that women in Afghanistan form an inseparable part of the society, and wishes to reiterate its solemn commitment to protecting and improving their rights and pivotal role in the composition of civil society and future political framework.

The Islamic state of Afghanistan is delighted to have been making fair progress in its agenda for advancement of the conditions of women though out government-held territories, despite harsh constraints. Nevertheless, the Islamic State of Afghanistan remains determined to carry on its fight against the continued suppression of fundamental rights of women and girls including their rights to healthcare, education and work, Taliban's institutionalization of gender-apartheid and feminization of poverty in the territories ruled by the Pakistani-Taliban.

Owing to the sham campaign of misinformation by the Pakistani-Taliban delivered by their emissaries traveling to various European capitals, and the many empty promises for reform in the realm of women's rights made thereby, the Islamic State of Afghanistan feels obliged to caution the international community against the bogus nature of the Taliban rhetoric, evidently aimed to serve their treacherous agenda.

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PRESS RELEASE
March 8, 2000

International Women's Day Celebrated

(Taloqan, 8 March 2000)-The International Women's Day was celebrated today in Taloqan, Afghanistan, reports the Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Over 300 women of various institutions from across northern provinces flocked to Mariam High School to celebrate the event amidst the work-in-progress of establishing a women's association on national level. The event, coinciding with the beginning of the new academic year there, was also attended by a great majority of students from the city's three girls' High Schools, including Mariam H.S.

The participants expressed their solidarity with their sisters under the Taliban misogynist rule, hailing the international community, particularly women's rights advocates, for their condemnation of the Taliban and its treatment of girls and women.

The occasion was hosted by the organizing group of dedicated women from the North, who had begun the preliminary works of establishing the association on 25 December 1999. The goal of establishing this association is to protect and advance the rights of women and girls in various aspects-social, educational and economic.

Committed to promote social and economic opportunities for women by providing them small productive projects, the association is said to have been exploring local resources and small income-breeding projects.

The association plans to open offices throughout adjacent provinces. It also seeks to reach out to the international community for assistance and contacts with global women's forums and organizations to address health, educational, social, economic and humanitarian issues of Afghan women.

The Islamic State of Afghanistan, taking note of the importance of women's role in the composition of civil society, wishes to acknowledge and thereby reiterate full support to the association's undertakings.