The Role Of Women In Afghanistan In Next Elections

Muhammad Ibrahim (2015) focused on the contribution of afghan women in the presidential election of Afghanistan in 2014. Ibrahim (2015) after analyzing Afghan women stated that women are stressed that home is predominant place and women’s role is reproduction of human race. In his article he puts the findings as “Women are awarded minimized role in politics. Political activities are considered the special domain for men … The objectives of the study are to discuss concept of political participation and its objectives for women participation in politics. The central aim is to examine the empowerment of women particularly of Afghanistan... The process includes the voice of Afghan women for successful outcome in election 2014.” Ibrahim (2015) described Afghanistan as a country that is facing multiple challenges due to war of several decades thus Afghan women are facing challenge to use their right.

Oxfam briefing paper (2014) “Behind Closed Doors - The risk of denying women a voice in determining Afghanistan’s future” described the risk of denying women a voice in determining Afghanistan’s future. According to Oxfam (2014) Afghan women have achieved a great deal since 2001, however more still needs to be done to ensure that all Afghan women can enjoy their rights. They gave some of these credits to the international organizations and donors that had an important role on improving Afghan women’s rights. Oxfam (2014) in their briefing paper stated that it is important that Afghan women are no longer sidelined, and that leaving women behind will lead to a flawed and unsustainable peace. Evidence showed that, when women are included in peacebuilding processes, the forecasts for an end to violence increase by 24 percent therefore, peace cannot be secured when representatives of over half the population are left out from the table Oxfam (2014).

Farzana Bari (2005), in her research study on “Gender Quotas in Afghanistan and Pakistan” discussed the effect of gender quotas for improving women’s political participation and stated that real equal opportunity does not exist just because formal barriers are removed. Indirect discrimination and hidden fences prevent women from getting their share of politics. Barfi (2005) said: “Patriarchy and bureaucracy are mutually reinforcing systems. Men use patriarchy within the bureaucracy not only to create and sustain male privilege and power over women but also to sustain institutional hierarchy.” Barfi (2015) argued that gender quotas do work, but is slowed down because of high conflict intensity and insecurity negatively affects women’s representation, also failure in achieving strategic essentialism due to polarization and heterogeneity on prioritizing women as quota based is negativey effecting women’s representation in politics.

Worden and Sudhakar (2010) discussed the challenges for Afghan women in past and present elections. In their paper stated that cultural, religious, and political opposition to women in political life creates a hostile environment in many communities that has a chilling effect on women’s participation as voters and election workers. In many areas of Afghanistan, women are culturally restricted from campaigning in front of men, threatened for holding leadership positions, and scorned for having their pictures on campaign posters. “The decline in overall security across Afghanistan disproportionately affects women’s ability to participate in public political life”