By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani promised on Tuesday to improve women's rights in a speech where he admitted that Afghanistan was still lagging in the field.
While announcing a plan to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, on protecting women during conflict and ensuring representation, he vowed to empower women and mentioned the appointment of the first female Supreme Court judge.
Ghani also added four female ministers to his cabinet, appointed two female governors and promised to appoint more women to positions as deputy ministers and judges.
He confessed, however, that despite some improvements, violence against women remained rampant in some parts of the country.
“Unfortunately, the younger generations still believe in using force against women, even some literate people indulge in violence against women,” he said, adding that religious leaders had a role to play in spreading awareness about women's rights.
He added that with the help of the Turkish government, a university for women will be opened.
The National Action Plan announced by Ghani would require each ministry to report its progress in improving female representation for at least the next eight years.
