Women should be included in future peace negotiations in Afghanistan

The struggle for gender equality in in Afghanistan and other countries in the Middle East is a Middle Eastern struggle, but the governments of Europe and especially the USA must play a more supportive role in improving the lives of women.

This can be achieved by demanding their inclusion in peace negotiations and by making aid conditional upon the protection of women’s rights and their access to education and employment.

There must be no impunity for acts of social violence as part of a comprehensive approach to seeking peace, justice and national reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Kate Travers

Sutton

If appearances are anything to go by, Boris Johnson is an utter imbecile, which is defined as someone who behaves in an extremely stupid way. Whilst appearances can, of course, be deceiving, in his case they are, without doubt, entirely accurate.

His refusal to sack ministers who demonstrate outrageous inefficiency and lack of intelligent forward planning is just the tip of the iceberg.

The question is, who is in a position to do something about it? Tabling a vote of no confidence in his leadership abilities should be done as a matter of urgency. If Johnson remains at the helm, this country will continue falling apart at the seams. and it can only get worse.

Linda Evans

London

Yet again, our fantastic prime minister shows top class leadership by pledging to help people still trapped in Kabul.

His diplomatic pragmatism is something I greatly appreciate and admire. Nobody wants a war we can’t win and no life should ever be wasted in conflict.

If Afghanistan turns into a terror training ground then by all means, take action to stop it.

Until then, I say keep working to try and get our own nationals out by whatever means necessary but by being as pragmatic and diplomatic as possible.

Geoffrey Brooking

Hampshire

Please can someone explain to me how anyone, anyone at all, can be worth a salary of £500,000, or more, a week?!

Susan Alexander

South Gloucestershire