Afghan Women Stand Firm in Elections Despite Death Threats

Women in Afghanistan have been brave enough to stand for election despite numerous death threats being made against them. On Sunday, Afghans went to the polls to elect members of the new lower house of parliament, know as the Wolesi Jirga, and local councils throughout the 34 provinces, according to Christian Aid.
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25 percent of the parliamentary and a similar number of council seats are reserved for women candidates under Afghanistan’s constitution but some females have been threatened for running in the elections.

Women in this country are restricted from campaigning freely in many of its provinces due to lack of security and cultural attitudes towards women. Groups opposed to the elections and against women’s rights have reportedly made death threats over the phone to some women candidates.

Emma Bonino, head of the European Union’s official observation mission for the elections in Afghan, told the Financial Times, “It is a major political issue that part of the country is not under control.

“It is more than intimidation. Violence and clashes are scaring people. There's a war going on one way or another.”

Women Activities and Social Services Association (WASSA), is a partner of Christian Aid which carries out advocacy work on women’s rights in Herat province, in western Afghanistan.

Women in Afghanistan do not have the financial power to campaign without the support of their husbands, according to WASSA director Hulan Khatibi. In this country which still suffers violence in parts of the provinces, women do not feel safe on the streets and men are usually the decision makers.

Despite the dangers, the women continue to stand for election. “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.”