Why should gender equality matter to me? United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) is dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

I am honoured to receive this Peace Prize Award - On behalf of Peace Sport Council of Afghanistan we extend our heartfelt congratulations on being honoured with the Peace Prize Award. This esteemed recognition stands as a testament to your unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and invaluable contributions toward promoting peace, unity, and humanitarian values across the globe. Your dedication and leadership continue to inspire individuals and communities worldwide, fostering hope and harmony in an ever changing world. We are deeply grateful for your outstanding service and positive impact on humanity.

With profound respect and warmest congratulations,

PRESIDENT OF PEACE & SPORT COUNCIL OF AFGHANISTAN, Ehssanullah Aghbar.

| GOLD AMBASSADOR FOR HUMAN-RIGHTS AT BOOKS FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION.

Ending all violence against women and girls is everyone’s business. UN Women - is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality, safety and the empowerment of women . The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life".

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/

Regardless of where you live in, gender equality is a fundamental human right. Advancing gender equality is critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection and the well-being of girls and boys. It is a major obstacle to the fulfilment of women’s and girls’ human rights and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Gender Apartheid Afghanistan

Today, in 2025, I speak not only as an advocate for peace—but as a witness to injustice. Gender apartheid exists in Afghanistan. Women and girls are being systematically erased from education, employment, healthcare, and public life. This is not cultural tradition—it is institutionalized persecution. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5) call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls—in every country, in every context. That includes Afghan women. That includes Afghan girls.

We must not normalize exclusion.

We must not look away.

We must not leave them behind.

Peace without justice is silence. And silence is complicity.

 UN experts have called it “gender apartheid.”

Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur, described it as “the most extreme and systematic assault on gender equality of our time” and urged coordinated global action to dismantle the institutionalized system of gender persecution.

#Afghanistan #GenderApartheid #UNSDG

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) are embarking on a new, global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) – the Spotlight Initiative.

The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to this issue, moving it into the spotlight and placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Spotlight Initiative will respond to all forms of VAWG, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, femicide, trafficking in human beings and sexual and economic (labour) exploitation. In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Initiative will fully integrate the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’.

Judith Carmody

Specialist area promoting wellbeing and preventing bullying inc coercive control. Researcher, Author, Trainer - Co Bully No More. My Presentation discussed Understanding Non- Physical Violence Psychological Abuse, Bullying, Coercive Control & Traumatic Entrapment. Master’s Degree (Hons) Leadership in Health & Wellbeing (TUS).

Gender Equality Goals

A voice to say “You are not Alone”. A Community Led Approach to end VAWG. A visible preventative whole community approach. Whole Government approach including all departments protection, policy and funding to support VAWG. Recognise VAWG as a social, cultural, & systematic traumatic entrapment. Identify the gaps in systemic barriers and access to support. Hold the perpetrator(s) accountable. Identify the barriers in bringing the perpetrator(s) to justice. Respond with Crisis Intervention. Access to equitable and dignifying systemic education, safety and justice responses. Zero tolerance of domestic, sexual, psychological and gender based violence. Develop a broader community, policy and legal response Increase awareness and understanding of all VAWG. Break the Cycle-Circle of Abuse VAWG. - isolation, stigma, shame and silence Trauma Informed Care Network to support women and girls entrapped in violence and abuse.