How do women's gender interests surface in Afghanistan's parliament? By: Wordsworth, A
Published by: Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, 2007
Via: Eldis
Why have women not generally used their newfound political influence to promote their gendered interests in Afghanistan? This paper contends that, in spite of women’s sizable presence in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga (lower house, WJ), the representation of women’s gender interests remains minimal. The author assesses why this might be the case, and suggests ways in which these interests might be more substantively raised in the future.
The paper primarily explores the ways in which women’s gender interests have surfaced in parliament, if at all, during the last 18 months. In addition, it examines the effect of the system of reserved seats for women on the representation of these interests. Findings include that:
- the practice of fast-tracking women into the legislature through affirmative action has, in some way, affected their perceived legitimacy in office
- women’s gender interests have not been substantively represented in parliament – there are particular obstacles preventing women and men from raising these interests
The author makes the following suggestions as to how women’s gender interests may be more effectively raised within parliament:
- reserved seats
- issues based groups
- “downwards” accountability
- mainstreaming of gender training
- harmonisation of legislation on women’s rights
- women in the Executive/Supreme Court
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