Women in Afghanistan Reclaim Their Rights

February 21, 2002. Silver Spring, MD…Following the fall of the Taliban regime, women in Afghanistan have begun reclaiming their rights, according to a United Nations report, February 19, which urges international support for measures to support gender equality in the war-torn nation.

The report paints a sad picture of discrimination against women and girls that have occurred over the past decades. The Islamic Taliban movement seized most of the country after displacing the previous Afghan government in September 1996. Prior to that, Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union in 1979. In addition to the continuing civil strife, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread land mines. The issue of discrimination against women and girls will be addressed at the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March.

Besides massive abuses that took place during the civil war and the Taliban regime, Afghanistan's maternal mortality rate holds a staggering second in the world; 147.02 deaths/1,000 live births. During the Taliban rule, a survey conducted by human rights physicians reported that 63-87 percent of women who were interviewed described their physical and mental health as "fair" or "poor."

Since the fall of the Taliban, however, Afghan women have participated in conferences, panel discussions and international meetings. A recent meeting of Afghan women took place in Germany last Fall when participants vowed to actively rebuild their communities.

"We, from the Department of Women's Ministries, are delighted that the women in Afghanistan now have the opportunity for self-determination, something they did not have before. It is our prayer that they will find fulfillment, health and well-being for themselves and their families in freedom, and that they will protect their freedom in all areas carefully: religion, health, education, economic, leadership and family," commented Ardis Stenbakken, director for the Department of Women's Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Adventist Church has attended meetings at the U.S. Department of State on the role of religious organizations in the rebuilding of civil society in Afghanistan and is committed to working towards this end. [Viola Hughes]

Jonathan Gallagher and Dr. Xu Yi-Hua

China: High On Church's Agenda of Religious Freedom Concerns

Washington, D.C....The situation of religious freedom in China remains a major concern for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, report representatives attending a high-level meeting in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 2002.

"Reports of continuing religious freedom and human rights violations in China are alarming," comments Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations Liaison director for the Adventist Church. "We continue to work for increased freedom of conscience and toleration. This most fundamental of rights, guaranteed by international law, needs to be practically supported by the Chinese authorities."

The February 5 meeting, "Church and State in China," was sponsored by the Pew Civitas Program in Faith and Public Affairs at the Brookings Institute and brought together representatives from a wide range of religious, educational and public organizations together with government departments.

Meeting at the Brookings Institute

"Such forums provide an excellent opportunity to meet and dialogue with other leaders involved in this vital area of promoting religious liberty in China," says James Standish, Legislative Affairs director for the Adventist Church.

Recent press reports indicate that religious persecution is on the rise in China, with president Jiang Zemin calling in December for greater Communist party control over religion, stating that unregistered religious practices would not be tolerated.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a long and prominent history in the promotion and defense of religious liberty and is well-known in this capacity on the international scene.

Jonathan Gallagher (2nd from left) with Saudi Arabia scholars

Religious Reps Meet Saudi Scholars For Dialogue

Washington, D.C. ... Representatives of several religious groups met scholars from Saudi Arabia to discuss current issues, especially concerns arising from the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks on February 2, 2002.

"This opportunity for dialogue was an important opportunity to alert each other to our concerns," says Jonathan Gallagher, representing the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. "The general agreement that extremists had tried to hijack religion for their own ends did not prevent us identifying real problem issues. Our discussion included ongoing examples of religious liberty abuses in Saudi Arabia, biased media coverage, and problems of mutual distrust. As in all areas, dialogue is immensely preferable to violence, and the chance to understand each other better was welcomed by all present."

The February 6 meeting was organized by the Washington-based Interfaith Alliance, and brought together representatives from a number of Christian and Moslem organizations. The Saudi scholars were led by Prof. Dr. Abdullah Al-Obaid, member of the Saudi National Consultative Council.

Media inquiries:

Viola Hughes
Phone: 301-680-6683
Fax: 301-680-6695
E-mail: HughesV@gc.adventist.org