Afghan Warrior

Afghanistan named its first female provincial governor. President Hamid Karzai appointed Ms Habiba Surabi as the governor of Bamian province last month and made a step forward in the slow political progress of women since the fall of Taliban more than three years ago. Surabi, who was selected from an all-female short-list, served as a Minister of Women's Affairs in President Karzai's previous transitional government for almost three years. The previous administration of President Hamid Karzai approved the constitution enshrining equal rights for women last year. Conditions for women in Afghanistan have gradually improved since the overthrow of the Taliban in late 2001, who barred women from education. Ms Surabi, the 48-year old wife and mother of three children, is an ethnic Hazara.

During her 3 years of service as Minister of Women's Affairs, she also learned to speak fluent English. Ms Surabi said "My appointment has opened a way for other women" in her speech. She believes that President Karzai, by choosing her, sent a powerful signal that women were equal to men. She hopes her appointment as Afghanistan's first female provincial governor will set a trend in a country in which women were not allowed to work outside. These things are not in Islam but are cultural traditions in some areas of the country. Surabi used to live in neighboring country Pakistan during the Taliban regime, and she returned back after the US-led forces overthrew the Taliban government after the attacks on the United States on Sep 11, 2001. When she was announced as governor, somewhere between 150 to 200 people demonstrated on the streets in Bamian town. Demonstrators were loyal to the former governor and local militia commander, but they were quickly outnumbered by up to 1,000 people who came out in her support. It shows how fed up people are with warlords and fundamentalists. Generally, the biggest challenge for women is safety from the warlords and commanders. Security is very important for women to be able to come to court or visit rights associations.

She aims to restore and rebuild historical sites in Bamian, the site of two 1600-year-old giant Buddhas which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, promote tourism, and oversee the reconstruction of the province that has no power and no paved roads. Bamian's population is mainly made up of ethnic Hazaras, who are mostly Shi'ite Muslims and known for their greater acceptance of women's rights. Ms Habiba Surabi said behind every great woman is a strong and liberal-minded man, "it would not be possible to do such a tough job without my husband's support". Almost all Afghan people are happy with Ms Surabi's appointment as the first woman governor. After the successful elections, the new administration contains three women ministers and for first time a woman governor.