12 August 2010 - Female political candidates from Ghor, Badghis, Farah and Herat provinces in western Afghanistan discussed their rights and shared their experiences campaigning for the parliamentary elections scheduled for 18 September at a gathering held at the initiative of the Ministry of Women Affairs and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) gender equality programme.

Kushwaya Sarwari is a former provincial council member in Farah. She decided to run for a seat in the Parliament in order to have more influence on the Government’s actions. She wants to improve justice, specifically regarding women, and development.

A chemistry teacher for 25 years, Kushwaya finds the training she received regarding the electoral law and the parliament’s powers helpful. In charge of women affairs for the Afghan National Party or Afghan Mellat, she shared her experience campaigning in a conservative area.

“Insecurity is our main concern. We requested bodyguards from the Government and international forces,” she said.

Kushwaya, who intends to travel to a few secure districts surrounding the provincial capital, also relies on a network of volunteers - men and women - who will campaign on her behalf. She said she hopes that the insurgents, who have a strong hold on parts of the province, will let her travel and not tear down her posters.

A similar three-day seminar to the one which ended on Monday will next be organized in Nangharar province and include the three surrounding provinces there.

By UNAMA/Fraidoon Poya & Henri Burgard

(UNAMA DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATES IN THE 18 SEPTEMBER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.)