Afghanistan Election: Woman Candidate Braves Retaliation With Presidential Run

Of all the things I might like to do in the second half of 2009, standing in the Afghanistan Presidential elections and taking on the Taliban, rampant corruption and the world's biggest drug cartels would be pretty low on my list. But then, I could never figure out why Benazir Bhutto had such a death wish either.

Forty candidates have now been confirmed for the election, which will be held on August 20. The official campaign period began this week with press conferences, posters and undeliverable promises littering the country.

I have discussed the front running candidates before - but recent International Republican Institute polling indicates that 31% of Afghans intend to vote for Hamid Karzai - leaving him a long way in front of Dr Ashraf Ghani - a favorite with middle class liberal Afghans. (See my previous post on Dr Ghani here).

One of the bravest candidates is Shahla Atta, a 47 year old university graduate who is currently an MP for Kabul. While sharing with other candidates an almost identical shopping list of election promises - judicious use foreign aid, compulsory basic education, defeat of the Taliban, justice and rule of law, economic accountability, corruption busting - Ms Atta distinguishes herself by her courage alone. One of only two female candidates - the other if Frozan Fana - she has no chance of success. (A 2004 female Presidential candidate attracted 1.1% of the vote).

In a country where little girls are attacked with acid for going to school, she has a very good chance of inspiring hatred and a notion of revenge that might end in her being killed. That's a high price to pay for standing in an election you have no chance of winning.

"The people have tested men, but they did not get anything. Now, why not see what a woman can do? I know I can do it, I am strong," she said recently.

Ms Atta's campaign posters feature assassinated President Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan whose policies Ms Atta says she will emulate. (SDK was an anti-fundematelaist reformer, who nevertheless ran a repressive regime. He was assassinated in 1978).

Candidates who throw their hat in the ring with little chance of success, are regarded warily in Afghanistan, where the tall poppy syndrome (excuse the pun) is alive and well. People who seem to be seeking fame through the ballot box are called gomnaam, a dismissive term which broadly translated means "unimportant".

Why anyone would wish to be gomnaam and an assassination target at the same time - as Ms Shahla Atta surely is in the eyes of many Afghans - may confuse those who don't live in a basket case. But perhaps, like suicide bombers, those Presidential candidates believe that really, nothing more can be lost and that to go in - and out - fighting is the only option left.

Comments

[RJII]

I wonder if I could ever be as courageous as this woman. She is to be admired by all.

[mergina]

Women are going to force more change in this part of the world than men have ever dreamed possible. It won't be pretty at first, but change is coming nonetheless.

[JZ735]

...glad to see women in the forefront in Iran too...

Wish Saudi women would have the courage to stand up, too.

[mergina]

In time the all will.

[CrittersRTasty]

That is one brave woman!

[escribacat]

Even if she has no chance, ever tiny step helps -- especially such a courageous step as this one.

[Mojo09]

Good on ya Obama, that'll teach those undemocratic fanatics. What I dont get about this Iranian uprising is this. A bunch of 80 year old + religious clerics delegating thousands of young men on motorbikes to do their dirty work for them killing and beating the living daylights out of innocent people. If they are so adamant on staying in power why dont they get on their scooters in their head rags and chase the young people around.

[jan4insight]

Probably for the same reason that Bush, Ch eney, Rummie, et al, sent thousands of young Americans to do their dirty work and die in Iraq.

[JZ735]

Zealots always use surrogates to do their dirty work...

[electricar]

Will you be writing on the other candidate as well? we need to see more of these developments and be aware of what is happening. I do applaud Ms Atta for her stand whatever her politics, and I hope that she gives hope and belief to many women in Afghanistan

[plaidsportcoat]

SHAHLA ATTA! YAY!
We need campaign buttons for her! The bravest of all.

[wasim ali]

It is worrying that she is following Saud Khan. He started off strong but was a repressive man who would not allow any democratic discussion or desent. This is a problem with may of Afghan leaders who will always talk about opening up the political process but when they get into power they give favor to their family, steal from the people, irgnore corruption and make sure they are okay. I do not know if anyone can solve this problem when everyone in the past seems to put themselves first and care only about what they can get for themselves.

[Very Berry]

I can't imagine how ANY of the candidates think they can tackle that dreadful mess. I have no idea, no solutions and sadly not a lot of hope.

[plaidsportcoat]

Thanks for sharing that really uplifting important thought

[electricar]

It is a mess, we can support people like Ms Atta as they commit to their country.

[LMPE]

A really big step would be to have an LGBT candidate. Of course, homosexuality is still punishable by death in Afghanistan, so it's a long way off.

[plaidsportcoat]

A really big step would also be to have a female candidate. for all you know she IS gay.

[plaidsportcoat]

being female is also punishable by death! With divisive people like you, lgbt will go backwards and lose support

[adele h]

In an ideal world we would not congratulate or support Ms Atta for merely standing as a candidate. She may have no policies or no ideas. She may be just like Sarah Palin - and no I am not joking. But it seems that in Afghanistan what she has done is the bravest thing she can do. I applaud her stand and wish her well.