Abstract

One of my Afghan colleagues, Fatimah, leads a discussion about peace-building. This conference was initiated by a local NGO where I worked as a visiting senior researcher in 2012–2013. Fatimah’s session spoke to male and female doctors, elders, midwives, psychologists, teachers, and youth leaders in the health and education sectors. The conference was attended by people of mixed ages, gender, and tribal groups; this particular session was facilitated by an unmarried, professional local woman. The conference and the session were the first of its kind in Afghanistan. “All voices and perspectives are important for our future,” Fatimah says.