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.

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ELECTIONS: WHO WILL SUPPORT WOMEN?
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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.

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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.

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LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE
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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

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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.

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MAKING CONNECTIONS
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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