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On Thursday morning, 22 August, a group of women from civil society and women's rights organizations was held in Kabul. On the occasion of the centenary of Afghanistan's independence, they organized an Afghan flag-raising on a hill in Kabul to say that they represent half of the people and will defend their rights against the Taliban. Reportage.
With our correspondent in Kabul, Sonia Ghezali
The signal is given by an army general. The brass band of the military school starts the Afghan national anthem. The flag begins to rise along a high metallic mat. Dozens of women are following her progress.
Among them, Mary Akrami, a leader of a feminist network for a peace process with the Taliban.
" We are tired of the war and we are ready for real negotiations. The Taliban must understand and respect what the Afghan people and what peace means to us, "she said.
While Mary Akramy, who has met with Taliban peacekeepers, says she is confident, Hassina Sharjan, head of an NGO that helps women's literacy is pessimistic.
" In the last talks in Doha , they said they would not attack civilians. The next day, there was an attack. And many children, women, young men were killed. So, how can you trust anything that they can sign ? She asks.
A young woman near her intervenes. " I think the Taliban of today are not the ones who were in power in the 90's. We are the new generation and we will not accept their ideology, " Zokra Azizi said.
" We must unite to stand up and impose our values " is the watchword of this gathering of women largely in favor of dialogue with the Taliban.
► Also read: Afghanistan: When women speak "Under the skies of Kabul"