VIDEO: Afghan Women MPs

Source: 
Hindustan Times
Duration: 
Sunday, January 9, 2011 - 19:00
Countries: 
Asia
Southern Asia
Afghanistan
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation
Initiative Type: 
Multi-Media

This indicator will not tell the real story. Women constitute 27 per cent of Afghanistan parliament against 11 per cent in India. But listening to Habiba Danish and Shukriya Paikan, the women members of the Afghanistan parliament, can give you a fair idea that numbers can't say it all. Nor do comprehend what they have gone through before reaching where they are now. But, they can tell you the real tales of grit.

Habiba lost her husband, who she forced to marry, at the age of 17. When Taliban took over she escaped with family to Iran, and came back to Afghanistan when Hamid Karzai government came to power. She is one of the youngest MPs in Afghan parliament, representing Takhar.

Shukriya wanted to be in politics for long. But there was no way she could for long. She waited till the Taliban defeat, and made the plunge now representing Kundruz, in northern Afghanistan.

In the video, both of them share talks to their experience as legislators. Though they are saddened by the state of affairs, continuing violence, they are hopeful of a better tomorrow.

Watch the video here.