Afghanistan’s First Lady Rula Ghani on Advancing Reforms
From the Reign of Violence to the Rule of Law: The Role of Reform in Rebuilding Afghan Society
Read the Event CoverageNearly four decades of warfare has eroded the rule of law in Afghanistan, leaving the country’s people with limited access to professional civilian police, state courts and other formal systems for securing justice. In his inaugural address, President Ashraf Ghani named the reform of such systems as a central goal. On May 13, Afghanistan’s First Lady Rula Ghani discussed her country’s history of violent conflict and recent progress and challenges in reforming the justice sector, including for women.
As first lady, Rula Ghani pursues what her office describes as a mission “to foster a positive environment in which every citizen of Afghanistan can achieve his/her potential and can take full part in the development of the country.” That goal requires a strengthening of the rule of law. At USIP, Mrs. Ghani spoke on Afghanistan’s efforts in that direction. She joined a discussion moderated by the Institute’s vice president, Andrew Wilder.
A native of Lebanon, First Lady Rula Ghani holds degrees from I’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, the American University of Beirut, and Columbia University. She returned with her husband, Dr. Ashraf Ghani, to Afghanistan after he was appointed finance minister in 2002. For years, she has been a leader in supporting thousands of Afghanistan’s poorest children through the Aschiana Foundation, which operates schools and social programs for orphans, street children and young people from disadvantaged families.
Continue the conversation on Twitter with #GhaniUSIP.
Speakers
Nancy Lindborg, Opening Remarks
President, U.S. Institute of Peace
Rula Ghani
First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Andrew Wilder, Moderator
Vice President, Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace
