A/HRC/19/47 Supreme Court's decision will result in more prosecutors now being willing to apply the EVAW law, rather than the Penal Code, in future. 29. A positive step in improving protection for women's rights came in September 2011 when the Afghan Council of Ministers approved a by-law regulating the operation of protection centres for women. This regulation sets standards for the operation and management of protection shelters for women, effectively re-affirming the critical service that these centres, both those operated by the Government and NGOs, provide for vulnerable women and girls facing violence and abuse. The final version of the regulation contrasted starkly with the earlier drafts which had provisions restricting the independent management of centres run by civil society groups and failing to protect vulnerable women from being forcibly returned to their families or from non-consensual disclosure of information to law enforcement authorities. Following continuous advocacy from civil society, AIHRC and the United Nations, amendments were made to the regulation. The final regulation places obligations on the Government to establish additional protection centres, and on shelters to admit, without exception, women subjected to or at risk of violence. It also safeguards fundamental human rights, such as privacy and access to adequate health care. Successful prosecutions of perpetrators of violence under the EVAW law depend, in part, on the ability of victims to secure safe, temporary housing, along with social and legal support. Effective enforcement of the regulation should encourage the creation of new shelters in areas where they are needed and the strengthening of existing ones through improved government oversight. 30. A number of provincial commissions for the prevention of violence against women are beginning to carry out their mandate of preventing violence by coordinating among Government and non-governmental institutions. However, they need much greater support and guidance. OHCHR/UNAMA found that although commissions have been established in 28 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, only 16 meet regularly. The provincial commissions vary widely in their operations. OHCHR/UNAMA assisted many provincial governors and women affairs departments with establishing and strengthening provincial commissions and in conducting awareness programmes for civil society groups and Government officials in 13 provinces. 31. Increasing the ability of women to participate equally in political processes and government structures remains a key priority for the human rights agenda in Afghanistan. The Government, with support from Finland, is developing a national action plan on women, peace and security. OHCHR/UNAMA has pledged its support in this process. On the occasion of International Women’s Day in March 2011, civil society organizations issued a declaration calling on the Government and members of Parliament to ensure effective participation by women in the peace process, and to increase women’s participation in Government in accordance with the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS). IV. Peace and reconciliation (including accountability and transitional justice) 32. As the process of transitioning control from international military forces (IMF) to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) progressed, the Government and the international community indicated the need for a formal process for discussing a settlement with the Taliban. At the same time, the Taliban have shown signs that they may be ready to negotiate terms, despite their public refusal to discuss peace until international forces have withdrawn. In July 2011, the Taliban issued a public statement in which they sought to distance themselves from terrorism, indicated aspirations for political recognition, advocated a negotiated withdrawal of foreign military, and asserted that they would pose no 10