UN Warns 63 Percent of Afghan Women Lack Identity Papers

The United Nations Women representative in Kabul urged Afghan government and electoral institutions to provide the circumstances for broader participation of Afghan women in the coming elections.

While there is not a clear prospect of holding Afghan parliamentary elections but the United Nations holding a joint press conference today in Kabul, November 22, asked electoral institutions, civil organizations and activists how to strengthen women presence in the elections.

“The UN’s objective is to help Afghan government in realizing its commitments in general and in promoting women’s role in the elections’ process in particular. Afghan women are facing many challenges in their political and social lives”, Said Ms. Rebecca Tavares, the UN Women representative in Afghanistan, who stressed that women should play a broader role in Afghan elections processes.

“Security threats and some cultural practices are the main barriers for women and the United Nations will help Afghan government to strengthen women’s role in elections”, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.

The United Nations also describes women participation as important in developing democratic institutions and sees Afghan women turnout in 2014 presidential elections unprecedented.

But Afghan Independent Election Commission expresses concerns over decreasing role of women in the coming elections.