Afghan women protest at absence of female ministers in new cabinet

Women take to the streets of Kabul after pre-election promises of fair gender representation fail to materialise in ministerial appointments

Dozens of women marched in the streets of Kabul on Tuesday, protesting against what they see as exclusion from political decision-making by the country’s new leaders.

The protesters, who gathered in front of the ministry of women’s affairs, complained that in the on-going process of forming a government, President Ashraf Ghani is reneging on campaign promises to ensure female participation.

During his campaign, Ghani promised to nominate at least four female ministers. However, when Ghani and his chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, unveiled their initial list of cabinet nominees three weeks ago, it contained only three women. After parliament had scrutinised the list and put it to a vote last week, none remained.

Only a minority of the nominees were approved, and Ghani and Abdullah now have to present a new batch of 17 candidates, a process activists are seeking to influence. They would like to see Ghani aim much higher than three female ministers.  Read More at Guardian  Women's rights and gender equality in focus 
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 Published:3 Feb 2015