CHALLENGES TO THE PRESENCE OF AFGHAN WOMEN IN THE POLITICAL PROCESSES (2000-2020)

Abstract

Abstract The study presents the results of current research in the field of political participation of women in Afghanistan in the context of the challenges they faced during their participation in political process in the last twenty years resulting ongoing situation with the transition of regime once again in the hands of the Taliban. In particular, it deals with different strategies how to remove these barriers for the future empowerment of Afghan women in politics. This study, attempted to examine the barriers to women's participation in political processes (presidential elections, parliamentary elections, provincial election, councils’ elections, and peace process), which has been analyzed based on qualitative methods utilizing secondary sources. The result shows that all the basic challenges in the context of women’s political participation are most notably in cultural, historical, and ideological problems of Afghanistan. The current conditions of women in Afghanistan contribute to tribal culture and clan-centric life patterns, characterized by patriarchy, and centered on manhood. Other challenges such as economic dependence, gender gaps, security and hundreds of other challenges also exist but political culture is the root to all challenges to Afghan women’s political participation. In order to remove barriers to women's political participation, in addition to the support and pressure of the international community, women themselves must first change their views, and then society and the Afghan government must fulfill their obligations to the political position of women.