Customs biggest hurdle for working women

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): As women in southwestern Nimroz province took active part in the previous presidential and provincial council elections but their ratio in government offices was abysmally low because of traditional compulsion.
According to local officials, more than 50,000 women who make 40 percent of all voters have participated in the previous election in Nimroz.
Two women had elected as provincial council members while two others as people’s representatives in the Wolesi Jirga or lower house of parliament.
But negative traditions among communities have forced women to stay away from working in government offices.
Amina Hakimi, director women affairs, told Pajhwok Afghan News that only 50 women were working in government offices including department of women affairs, governor’s house, rural rehabilitation and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
She said that 50 other women were deployed as police officers. “Families’ restrictions are the main reason forcing female not to opt for government jobs,” Hakimi said, adding most women interested to serve as teacher instead.
According to the education department, there are 1,800 teachers in Nimroz with 700 of them female teachers. From 90,000 school students, 48,000 of them are female students studying in 160 local schools.
A teacher Nafisa who teaches at Rodaba School in Zaranj city said that most of families felt some sort of embarrassment when women were working beside men.
“I chose to serve as teacher because my family opposes to work in government offices,” she recalled.
Shah Gul Gulzada, head of Women association, said that negative custom in the community prevented women to work outside.
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