Quhramaana Kakar is a peace activist and a development practitioner. She is founder and director of Women for Peace and Participation, an organisation providing platforms for communities in conflict regions and diaspora communities in UK and Europe – connecting the local to the global and the inclusion of women in the decision making around peace and security. She has worked in key positions for a number of International organisations and the Afghan government, including the UN, USAID international NGOs and the High Peace Council of Afghanistan. In recognition for her work and achievements for peace, Quhramaana was awarded by the UN N-Peace network as “Role Model for Peace 2012” and currently provides support to UN peace-network as advisor on the strategic board.
Quhramaana has advised policy makers and politicians advocating for the rights of women and vulnerable communities in Europe and US on international intervention in Afghanistan. This includes participating in meetings and conferences in Brussels, EUpole, European Parliament, the US Senators, Pentagon, UK parliament and The White House. She is a regular commentator on the Afghan peace process, regional implications and women’s participation – and their political leadership. She has an excellent academic background (with several master degrees from international universities including an MPhil from the University of Cambridge) combined with her 16 years of experience ranging from the grassroots to the national and international policy level. She writes blogs, articles and book chapters on topics around women and peacebuilding and women’s political inclusion and leadership. She also currently provides leadership to women peace builders in the diaspora communities in the UK, by providing them an opportunity of creating global solidarity.