The Presence of Women Representatives in Village Council

Written by: Samira Haleemzai

Most of the problems in the villages of Afghanistan were solving by the Jirga (gathering) but in recent years some councils are created for this purpose like the school council, health council, and village council. Most of the members of these councils are men and this issue causes some problems to the female residents of the villages.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people about the problems cause by the absence of female representatives in the village councils.

Shahnaz, a resident of Farza district, Kabul province says: “There are some councils in our village and all the members of those councils are men and they could not solve the women’s problem. For example, if an NGO implements a project in our village, women want to learn tailoring, embroidery, and handicrafts in courses but our men do not ask about women’s needs and they do not apply for such projects.”

Frishta, a resident of Kabul province says: “There are some small councils in our residential area but they do not have enough activities and there is no female representatives in those councils. We do not have any health clinic in our area and we have to take our patient to Kabul city. If a women delivers a baby, she might lose her life along the way to the maternity hospital in the city.”

What do people think about the causes of these problems?

 mir Aqa, a resident of Farza district says: “The authorities of the families do not give the right to their women to get a membership of village council.”

Frishta says: “Women are not aware of their rights that they could be nominated for the village council and on the other hand, they do not believe in their ability to work in a council. Some cultural restrictions also prevent women to get a job in a council.”

How could women take part in village councils?

Naheeda Daudzai, an eleventh-grade student says: “I am a member of the village council. My father encouraged me to be a member of the village council to share the problems of other girls and women of our village to the council. Last year, a girl was harassing by some boys on the way to school and she left studying school. I shared the issue with the members of the council. They solved the problem and the girl started school again.”

An Islamic scholar, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir Habibi talks about this issue: “consultation has special importance in Islam. Our prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was always consulting with others. Holly Quran orders all Muslims (men and women) to conduct their affairs by consult among themselves.”