The Balkh Provincial Council and the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) organized a two-day workshop in Balkh province to highlight the importance of women's participation not only in the upcoming elections but also in the social, economic and political arenas of Afghanistan more generally.
Several women's advocacy activists participated in the workshop and emphasized that in order to bring fundamental changes to the country, women must be given roles of greater importance in society and should be enabled to actively participate in the upcoming elections next spring.
"We are working together in different provinces to increase women's participation not only for the elections, but broadly in the social, economic and political arenas as well," said Dr. Fazil Hadeed, Director of the Balkh Provincial Council.
The activists pointed out that currently the presence of women in government offices is extremely low. In light of this, they implored the government to ensure that women are given an equal opportunity to pursue positions of authority.
"We urge the government to take immediate steps and give the women of Afghanistan an opportunity to contribute in every sector," said Rababa Nayebi, a member of the Balkh Provincial Council.
The workshop was attended by the Directors of Women Affairs in Samangan, Balkh, Jowzjan, Sar-e-Pul and Faryab provinces, along with representatives from various women's advocacy organizations across the country. All the participants emphasized the need of having increased political and economic participation of females.