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On the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8th March 2019, Mariam Safi Director of the Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies Briefed the North Atlantic Council at NATO HQ in Brussels, on “The Peace Process in Afghanistan: Taking Stock of the Challenges and Possibilities through the Lens of Afghan Women, Civil Society Organizations, and Think-Tanks.” You can find the full brief here…Mariam Safi’s Brief at NAC on 8 March 2019

28 February 2019, approximately 3500 women from across Afghanistan gathered in Kabul to discuss peace and ways to preserve women’s rights in the Afghan Peace Talks. Initiated by the First Lady of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in cooperation with Afghan Women’s Network, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and many other CSOs, the conference aimed to amplify the voices of Afghan women with regards to peace talks. The one-day long conference concluded with a 15-point declaration. You can find the full declaration here…Declaration__Afghan Women’s National Consensus for Peace

On 24 February 2019, Mariam Safi (Director of Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies), Shaharzad Akbar (Political Activist), and Ghazaal Habibyar (former Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum) briefed a gathering hosted by NATO Senior Civilian Representative’s office in Kabul, Afghanistan, comprised of national CSOs, First Lady’s Office, The High Peace Council, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and members of the international community on the concerns and recommendations of Afghan women with regards to the design, implementation and monitoring of a possible upcoming cease-fire in Afghanistan. Why is it Important for Afghan Women to be Involved in all Stages

Download DROPS Issue 1, Afghan Peace Talks Newsletter January 2019 for the most up-to-date analysis by DROPS Staff, Events and national, regional and international articles written on the Afghan Peace Process. Afghan Peace Talks Newsletter- Issue 1 Jan. 2019

Bismellah Alizada, Deputy Director of DROPS, writes for DROPS bi-weekly “Afghan Peace Talks Update”, on current US-Taliban talks and how the role of the Afghan state is missing from this track of talks and the possible outcomes it holds for the process. DROPS Peace Prints-31 Jan 2019

On 19 December 2017, DROPS launched the 3rd Vol. of its flagship publication, Women and Public Policy Journal, themed on “Afghanistan Peace Process: Evaluation, Impact and Gaps” at the Government Media and Information Center. Keynote speakers included Dr. Habiba Sarobi (Deputy Chairman of the High Peace Council, Mr. Scott Smith (Dir. of Pol. Affairs UNAMA) and Mariam Safi (Dir. DROPS). Press Release of Launch of 3 Vol. Women and Public Policy Journal

DROPS participated in a two-day joint workshop between the government and civil society organizations, held on August 27-28, 2017, by Open Government Partnership Secretariat at Marble Palace. The workshop brought together representatives of all government agencies and a wide number of civil society organizations to draft the first two-year National Action Plan for Open Government Partnership Afghanistan (OGP-A). DROPS in OGP Workshop

Bismellah Alizada, Deputy Director of DROPS, writes for the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (New Delhi), on the security situation in Kabul, pointing to 2017 as the deadliest year for residents while exploring ways in which the present state-of-affairs has the potential to pose bigger problems for the already weakened National Unity Government. IPCS commentary

November 15, 2016 7 minute Read By the Bush Institute and the Women’s Democracy Network On November 14, the Bush Institute and the Women’s Democracy Network at the International Republican Institute hosted a roundtable event with two women peacebuilders, Sameena Imtiaz and Mariam Safi, from Pakistan and Afghanistan, respectively. Sameena is the founder and executive director of the Peace Education and Development (PEAD) Foundation in Pakistan, and Mariam is founding director of the Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS) in Afghanistan. We sat down to talk to Sameena and Mariam about their stories and perspectives on women’s inclusion

DROPS Director Mariam Safi speaks to Odharnait Ansbro of News Deeply on the role of women in fighting radicalization in Afghanistan. Why Women Are Crucial to Fighting Radicalization in Afghanistan – Women & Girls