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Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe have many things in common, but until recently their paths had not crossed. Both in their 50s, their communities elected the two women as village tract administrators in January 2018 during the third local elections to take place since Myanmar started its transition to democracy.

This is the second time that Daw Ohn Shwe has been elected village tract administrator for the Muslim community of Kyaung Tike, in the township of Thandwe, where she is the only woman among 72 village tract and ward administrators. Daw Saw Yee, ward 3 administrator is, in like manner, the only female village tract or ward administrator among the 53 in Ramree township.

When they describe their new roles, their smiles convey a sense of accomplishment. And there is a good reason for it: they are among the very few women all across Myanmar who have been elected as village tract and ward administrators — only 101 out of 16,829 after the last election.

Women are under-represented in the political arena in most countries, but in Myanmar the situation is particularly pressing. UNDP has been working for the last few years with female local administrators who, like Daw Saw Yee and Daw Ohn Shwe, are trying to address the strong barriers for their participation in local governance.

The people have high expectations for the women to represent the interests of the communities in dialogues with township officials about the development of their areas. Their achievements will be measured in terms on how Kyaung Tike and Kayuk Phye become better places to live.

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 24 September 2018.

“We young people, individually and collectively are a piece of peace”, said Lynrose Jane Dumandan Genon, a representative of the Young Women for Peace and Leadership programme of the Global Network for Women Peacebuilders in the Philippines, speaking at a side event in New York on 25 October, on the sidelines of the annual UN Security Council Open Debate on women, peace and security. “We do our part in making peace happen in whatever community we are in; we bring our little pieces together to create a bigger impact,” she added.

Genon is among a new generation of young women leaders who are taking a stand against discrimination, promoting women’s rights and are at the forefront of community efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace. For these young women, the road to peace and their participation in the peace processes is long and riddled with barriers.

The event organized by UN Women, the Global Network for Women Peacebuilders, UNFPA, Peacebuilding Support Office and the Permanent Missions of Bangladesh and Finland, brought together young women from four countries to share experiences and speak about their peacebuilding work. A dialogue with policy makers—Member States and UN experts—provided the space for discussion of the impact of violent conflicts on young women, and the actions they are taking to build peace and prevent conflicts.

Emilie Katungu Katondolo, a member of the Young Women for Peace and Leadership programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlighted how participating in entrepreneurship training and gaining economic independence enabled her to more fully participate in her community.

“Teach young women. Provide economic opportunities to combat violence,” said Katondolo. “Support youth initiatives to participate in the public space”.

“How can we support and promote the work of young women? The first step is events like this, providing the space for young women and raising awareness,” said Kai Sauer, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations. Ambassador Sauer highlighted that as Finland works on the first National Action Plan on youth, peace and security and UNSCR 2250, they’ll work directly with youth.

Young women panelists also called on those in positions of power to take youth voices seriously and include them in conversations.

“It is overwhelmingly obvious that youth want to be the change. We hear it every time they speak. They are trying to be the change,” said Katrina Leclerc, a Programme Coordinator for the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders Young Women for Peace and Leadership programme. “We need investments in meaningful participation of youth as global citizens, and we need spaces for young people to gather.”

The event also featured a background paper on young women, peace and security, developed by UN Women as a contribution to the Global Progress Report on Youth, Peace and Security (mandated by the Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015)). Sophie Giscard D’Estaing, Peace and Security Analyst with UN Women in the Arab States region, presented the paper and emphasized that often youth is viewed as only young men, and only well established, and respected – adult women are viewed as peace and security activists, while young women are often marginalized and discriminated in both policies and programmes related to peacebuilding.

“Now is a crucial moment to influence policy and programme and research to ensure young women are part of the full picture,” said D’Estaing. “Peace and security cannot be built without young women, and it cannot be built for them. It needs to be built with young women and young men.”

The paper calls for clearer reference to the diversity of women and youth in future women peace and security and youth peace and security resolutions and policies, and that inclusion should not be limited to young women’s protection or addressing discrimination, it should also emphasize the positive and transformative role that young women play in building sustainable peace. The agenda needs to include the provision of technical and financial support to peacebuilding initiatives by young women.

“We should not have to keep justifying why women and young women should be part of the most important talks in the world,” said UN Women Deputy Executive Director Asa Regner in her opening remarks. “Women should be included because they have the right to be included. Young women should be included because they have the right to be included. We have to accelerate action to make this happen.”

The side event was part of a series of events organized on women, peace and security. Please visit UN Women’s In Focus: Women, peace and security for more information.

Source: UN Women

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.

Halima Askari became the first woman head of the Provincial Council in Afghanistan’s conservative Wardak province in 2017. She is part of a new generation of women leaders who, little by little, are pushing for the transformation of governance. She ran for national Parliament this year and is awaiting the results. Regardless of the election results, Askari is determined to continue serving her community and advocating for girls’ and women’s education. Having attended UN Women-supported leadership and management training, in a recent interview she talked about what it means to be a woman in politics in Afghanistan. UN Women’s political participation programme in Afghanistan was made possible by funding from the governments of Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

"We are living in a male-dominated society where women are denied opportunities simply because they are women. There is a perception that women should not go out, not go to work, not go to school. But we are encouraging women to do all of these things.

It was really challenging for women to get top leadership roles in the provincial councils. Most of the time, women on the councils function as the secretary; all the higher leadership roles are held by men. Then there is the security challenge. Women don’t want to be in public offices because they are afraid they will be killed by people who oppose their presence.

We as women have a difficult task ahead, but we are learning not to back down when there are barriers.

Our first enemy is perception. All of us need to change this, and it might take a long time and a lot of struggle and energy. When it was announced that I would run to lead the Provincial Council, the former chair stood up and said to everyone: “How will you answer to God that you elected a woman to lead you? We haven’t seen women in this role—how can we be assured they can do it?”

In Wardak, women within the council, regardless of our different backgrounds, agreed to unite around winning the top leadership positions, including the chair and vice-chair roles. Our coalition, when it achieved what we wanted to do, resulted in greater awareness and confidence. We heard from people who said we have so inspired them that now they will let their daughters go to school.

At one point, we had to choose between constructing schools and water storage tanks. A lot of arguments went back and forth. Most men wanted the water storage tanks. We were arguing that if we build schools and clinics, we will have healthy, educated people. They will understand the importance of water tanks and road construction. But if we have a tank, people right now will not know how to maintain it, and it may be detonated by anti-government elements. We need to educate communities first, so they can safeguard and manage these projects in the future. We now have schools and clinics under construction.\

I can be optimistic about women transforming governance in Afghanistan, but certain obstacles need to be overcome. First, women are disconnected from each other. Second, international aid is concentrated on women who have come from outside, which is not sustainable. Third, aid is concentrated in bigger cities but not in some of the provinces where women are most vulnerable. If these things are addressed, we will have empowered women who can be effective leaders.

It is not enough to be in a leadership role and tick a box and the mission is done. We as leaders have to provide the opportunity for other women to follow the same path.

My message for women is: don’t be afraid of failure. If you cannot achieve something, it is not failure. But if you stop, that’s failure. Keep your ambition and build on your efforts to meet your goals. And put aside divisions. Our victory is our unity.”

Source: UN Women.