WHAT AFGHAN WOMEN WANT: A VIEW FROM KABUL'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002999 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019 TAGS: PHUM ECON PREL KDEM AF SUBJECT: WHAT AFGHAN WOMEN WANT: A VIEW FROM KABUL'S PROFESSIONAL CLASS Classified By: Political Counselor Annie Pforzheimer for reasons 1.4 (b ) and (d). ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Over thirty female public and private sector professionals shared their concerns, hopes, and laughter with fifteen Embassy counterparts on recent news from the elections, increasing violence in the Northern provinces, and the problem of sexual harassment in universities, among other issues. The women called for the Embassy and the international community to listen to average Afghans, particularly women, as we shape our goals and strategy in Afghanistan. We will engage this diverse group of women as we continue to expand our network of contacts. (END SUMMARY) ¶2. (U) On September 14, Embassy Kabul Economic and Political Sections co-hosted an Iftar for thirty female Afghan political figures, businesswomen, and civil society leaders. Guests were a mix of old friends and contacts, and up-and-coming women with whom we plan to engage more frequently in the months to come. After breaking the Ramadan fast, many of the women visited the Embassy,s women's mosque for traditional prayers. They expressed surprise and pleasure upon learning that the Embassy has an on-site mosque. Following prayers, the women returned to a buffet dinner and lively discussion. -------------- ELECTIONS: WHO WILL SUPPORT WOMEN? -------------- ¶3. (U) At one table, a group of women engaged in a spirited conversation over whether candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah or President Karzai better supports women. Those arguing for Karzai cited his modification of the Shia Personal Status Law as an example that he "responds to women." Soraya Sobhrang of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) noted that Karzai specifically asked for AIHRC input on the law and requested their blessing before he signed it. However, other women argued that nothing changed for women under Karzai,s leadership and expressed hope that Abdullah might do more for women. -------------- - SECURITY: SAFETY FROM INSURGENTS, AND FROM MEN -------------- - ¶4. (SBU) MP Dr. Fatima Aziz (Tajik, Kunduz) spoke in detail about the increasing violence in her home province. She noted that insurgents were primarily indigenous to Kunduz, and not foreigners. She voiced concern that the security situation in Kunduz is getting worse every day, noting that the source of the violence, in her mind, is "inexplicable." ¶5. (C) Naheed Malekzai, a young advocate from the Afghan Humans Rights and Democracy Organization, described her fight to end sexual harassment at Kabul University, which resulted in her own and 60 other students, expulsions. Malekzai recounted that, in a survey of female students, 80 percent reported having been victims of some form of sexual harassment. When she and her fellow students looked to the University administration to address the problem, the dean of her college propositioned her as a "way out" of punishment. When she turned down his advances, the university expelled her. The entire table expressed horror that students were kicked out of university for trying to protect women,s rights, and offered support to the young advocate,s efforts to protect other women, even at her own risk. -------------- LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE -------------- ¶6. (C) At a separate table, Engineer Zia Gul Saljuki gave insights into the internal workings of the Ministry of Energy and Water, where she is General Director of Planning. She is normally reserved in official meetings, but in the private, all-women,s atmosphere Engineer Saljuki opened up. She pulled an Econoff aside to explain that she cannot contradict her boss in public, but she does disagree with him on some official policies. She asked for Embassy assistance to push for "what is best for the people" instead of "what is best for a few corrupt officials." She requested Ambassador Eikenberry encourage President Karzai to push her Minister, the notorious former warlord Ismael Khan, to finish the promised commercialization of the state electricity utility. Commercialization of the utility is a necessary step for efficiency and quality of service, but decreases opportunities for bribes for ministry officials. ¶7. (SBU) The need for the international community to listen to average Afghans, and do what is best for the people, was a KABUL 00002999 002 OF 002 common thread through many conversations. Masouma Habibi, a recent graduate of Goldman Sachs, 10,000 Women Program, discussed the importance of reaching out to Afghan women who do not hold government positions or run their own businesses. "The elite class in Afghanistan, with whom you always talk, is different. Most women do not work, they do not have these freedoms." Meanwhile, Fatana Gailani, long-time women,s rights advocate and wife of the prominent MP Ishaq Gailani, spoke passionately about the need for peace in Afghanistan. She encouraged the Americans in the room to listen to the call for peace from all Afghans who are tired after 30 years of war. -------------- MAKING CONNECTIONS -------------- ¶8. (U) The women used the event as a rare networking opportunity among female Afghans as well as with Embassy officers. Contacts who are normally reserved in male-dominated fora were unusually talkative and open. Following dinner the women continued to exchange stories and business cards. One young human rights advocate expressed her pleasure in finally getting to meet Gailani. The Iftar brought together an old and new generation of women leaders; we will continue to engage these women to help us expand our contact base and plan to hold similar networking events on a quarterly basis. EIKENBERRY