Afghans went to the polls on Sunday to elect members of the new lower house of parliament – known as the Wolesi Jirga – and local councils throughout all 34 provinces. Under the country’s constitution, 25 per cent of the parliamentary and a similar number of council seats were reserved for women candidates.
Women registered to vote in large numbers, forming 44 per cent of those who have signed up in the past year.
But standing for election in the country that still suffers from violent skirmishes in many of its provinces has brought the threat of danger to some female candidates. The lack of security and cultural attitudes in many areas have prevented women from moving around freely to campaign.
Some women candidates have even received anonymous telephone death threats from groups opposed to the elections and to women’s rights.
Emma Bonino, head of the European Union’s official observation mission for the Afghan elections, expressed concern that the group was unable to carry out its work in five provinces because of violence.
‘It is a major political issue that part of the country is not under control,’ Ms Bonino told the Financial Times. ‘It is more than intimidation. Violence and clashes are scaring people. There's a war going on one way or another.’
Christian Aid partner, Women Activities and Social Services Association (WASSA), carries out advocacy work on women’s rights in Herat province, in western Afghanistan. According to WASSA, many women simply do not feel safe out on the streets.
WASSA director Hulan Khatibi said women do not have the financial power to campaign without the backing of their husbands. Men are the decision makers and most women do not have their own money to campaign.
However, none of these problems have deterred women from standing. ‘Women in Afghanistan are so brave to stand for election in such a hard situation,’ said Hulan.
‘On the one side the hard traditional practices exist and on the other side the insecurity and economic problems are creating hurdles in their way. They are doing a great and courageous job in such circumstances.’