KABUL (PAN): Despite their claims to support women's rights, the presidential candidates generally have not allowed their wives to work or be a public part of their campaign.

Women voters wonder just how sincere the candidates are about their rights.

“When a person does not allow his spouse (her rights), then how can he restore the rights of others?" said Shafiqa Noori, a member of parliament from Parwan province. Some candidates' wives were absent from the campaign because they are illiterate, Noori said - but also, the candidates weren't brave enough to bring their wives into the public eye.

The wives of some candidates previously worked in administrative positions, and when the candidates got better jobs they hid their wives at home, Noori said.

Whoever talks the slogans of women's rights should practically show it, she said.

Every candidate should bring their wives to their election campaigns so that women believe that this person can do something for women and really wants women's political participation in the country, she said.

Humira Adil, a staff member at the parliament, said she does not believe that the candidates will fulfill their promises, because they have educated wives, but they have kept them at home.

"This will remain only words, because we have experienced it,” she said.

“As with Karzai's wife who is a [medical] doctor, but she is not allowed to work, or Abdullah's wife who worked before their marriage, so I think this will be only a slogan and I don’t believe their slogans."

Karzai and Abdullah campaigns could not be reached for comment.

Nazifa, 36, who graduated from grade 12 and has six children, said that the candidates should allow their wives to be politically and socially active.

If they cannot provide opportunity for social and political activities, then how can they work for others? she asked. 

Daad Noorani, an analyst on political issues, said that the candidates only talk about the women's rights – and want others to expose their wives to the community.

"Whoever says something should, first he should practice it,” Noorani said.

“But if someone does not allow his wife to go out and claims to be in favor of women's development, it is completely wrong."

He added no women should trust such promises and should not vote for such candidates.

Habib Mangal, a presidential candidate, said that he has kept civil rights for women in mind and that if he wins the elections he will enforce them.

He added: "My wife is an activist and is an active person in democracy, and is supporting me in the election campaign."

Bashir Ahmad Bezhan, another presidential candidate, said: “My wife has supported my throughout my election campaign and currently she is an employee of Kamair airlines in Delhi, and if she were here, she would have stood with me and supported me."

But none of the wives of presidential candidates have publicly taken part in the election campaigning.

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