HERAT- Participants at a UN-backed event in the western province of Herat called for increased participation of women in the forthcoming elections as a crucial component of a credible and inclusive electoral reform process.

The event, which brought together women’s rights activists, civil society representatives and government officials, was organized by the Herat regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to highlight the importance of women’s representation in the forthcoming elections and make recommendations on how to improve their participation both as voters and as candidates.

“Security challenges and harmful traditional practices remain the biggest impediments,” said Sweeta Durrani, a women’s rights activist working in Herat, noting that although there has been a general improvement in the participation of women in recent elections, particularly in the 2014 elections, which saw a 38 per cent female voter turn-out nationally, much more needs to be done.

Women in western Afghanistan – as in many other parts of the country – face harmful traditional practices that make it less likely for them to participate in public life and also less likely for them to enjoy their fundamental human rights.

Herat, known for its saffron production, lies on old trade routes, bordered by Iran to the west and Turkmenistan to the north, and has an estimated population of nearly two million, second only to Kabul province.

At the conclusion of the Herat event, participants made several joint recommendations, including specific measures to put women on the ballot, to improve the overall security situation and to launch a nationwide advocacy campaign that would underscore the importance of respecting women’s right to vote. They also underscored the importance of increasing the number of polling centers, especially in remote areas.

The United Nations maintains that women’s full participation – as candidates, electoral workers, observers and voters – is a fundamental right, and that enhancing women’s participation in all stages of the electoral process is vital for strengthening democracy.

Afghanistan is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in July 2018, and presidential elections in 2019.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides 'good offices' among other key services. 'Good offices' are diplomatic steps UN takes publicly and in private, drawing on its independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.

UNAMA also promotes coherent development support by the international community; assists the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.