Press Release of DROPS Women and Public Policy Journal · PRESS%RELEASE% For$Immediate$Release$ Contact:$$ MARIAMSAFI$ $$$$$Tele:$+93(0)$774284772$ [email protected]$C$$C$Twitter:$@drops

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release

Contact: MARIAM SAFI

Tele: + 93 (0) 774284772 [email protected] -‐ www.dropsafghanistan.org -‐ Twitter: @drops_afg

LAUNCH

Of

WOMEN AND PUBLIC POLICY JOURNAL

(Vol. 2)

Afghan Economy in the Decade of Transformation (2015-‐2024)

Afghanistan’s Journey to Economic Self-‐Reliance: Assessments & Recommendations

By

ORGANIZATION FOR POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

(DROPS)

Held on

21st November 2016

2 pm – 4 pm at The Kabul Serena Hotel, Kabul, Afghanistan

On 21st November 2016, the Organization for Policy Research and Development

Studies (DROPS), supported by the National Endowment for Democracy [NED],

launched the Second Edition of its Annual Peer–Reviewed Women and Public Policy

Journal (WPPJ).

H.E. Ms. Rula Ghani, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan delivered the

keynote address and launched this edition of the Journal. Other speakers included Mariam

Safi, Executive Director, DROPS Afghanistan; and Ms. Naheed Farid, Co-‐Founder and Board

Member, DROPS Afghanistan.

The 2016 Edition of the WPPJ is titled ‘Afghan Economy in the Decade of Transformation (2015-‐2024) Afghanistan’s Journey to Economic Self-‐Reliance: Assessments & Recommendations’.

The volume contains nine (9) research papers and one (1) book review authored by

Afghan women, which explore the different economic priorities – set by the Afghan

government towards achieving economic self-‐reliance in the Decade of Transformation –

while identifying existing economic gaps and providing recommendations for policymakers

towards addressing them.




This journal was conceptualized to coincide with the outcomes of the Brussels

Conference on Afghanistan. Themes and issues analyzed in this edition assess the Afghan

government’s commitments on the economy and development with an aim to help it make

the country self-‐reliant by 2024.

REMARKS BY H.E. MS. RULA GHANI:

1. “…It is even more gratifying for me to discover a group of young women determined to play an important role in the building of our country. Today’s launch is a testimony of their ambition and dedication. They make us all proud.”

2. “It is with a lot of pride that I applaud the achievements of this group. They knew what difficulties they will be facing; but they persisted in their endeavour. They shouldered each other; they encouraged each other; and they relied on each other. Well done!”

3. “…for me, the icing on the cake is that they [the authors] did not let the added complication of being women in a male oriented society damage their determination, and in their own way, they have demonstrated that women, like men, can be thoughtful, persistent, and productive. I read their articles and encourage all of you to do the same.”

4. “This Issue [Journal Edition] could be the starting point of a national conversation on the future of Afghanistan. We all need to take part in it. Together, we can build this country so that our children and grandchildren can live in peace and prosperity.”

THE WPPJ IS A UNIQUE INITIATIVE BECAUSE:

1. The WPPJ is the first peer-‐reviewed public policy journal to be authored by Afghan

women in Afghanistan

2. The 2016 Edition is the 2nd Edition of the WPPJ

3. It breaks the stereotype that women write only on gender-‐related issues because

this Journal includes analyses by women on a variety of important issues.

4. The WPPJ has created the much-‐needed space for women to engage in policy

discourse via policy research in Afghanistan




5. This Journal provides a platform that ensures that women’s perspectives are

incorporated in policy debates and strategies

6. This Edition of the WPPJ offers recommendations for the Afghan government,

policymakers, and the international community towards building a sustainable

economic future.

WPPJ 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Developing Effective Public Policy to Encourage Private Sector Investment in

Afghanistan By Tania Aria

2. Afghanistan-‐China Economic Partnership: How to Minimize Risks and Achieve Objectives By Zohal Atif

3. Incentives for Women Entrepreneurs: Status, Gaps and the Way Forward By Naheed Sarabi

4. Afghan Economy’s Achilles Heel: The Symbiosis between Insurgency and Drug Trade By Mariam Wardak

5. Opportunities to Increase Women’s Involvement in Afghanistan’s Economy By Atifa Safi

6. Afghanistan: Rule of Law and Economic Developments By Sona Mahmody

7. Challenges to Developing Afghanistan’s Human Capital in the Decade of Transformation By Dilawaiz Hashimi

8. Afghanistan: A Holistic and Sustainable Approach to Improving Women’s Access to Economic Markets By Rahela H. Sidiqi

9. Afghanistan and its Central Asian Neighbors: Opportunities and Challenges to Regional Economic Cooperation in the Decade of Transformation (2-‐Part Series) By DROPS Research Team

10. Book Review: Farewell Kabul by Christina Lamb By Ayesha Al-‐Hashimi




Pictures of Launch:




Documents

Press Release of DROPS Women and Public Policy Journal · PRESS%RELEASE% For$Immediate$Release$ Contact:$$ MARIAMSAFI$ $$$$$Tele:$+93(0)$774284772$ [email protected]$C$$C$Twitter:$@drops