United Nations has declared 15th of September as International Day of Democracy. The main purpose behind marking this day is to underline the importance of democracy, highlight the challenges it faces and project opportunities it offers. UN states that “democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.”
After the outer of Taliban from government in 2001 which practiced one of the most violent forms of Islamic Shariah, a democratic system by keeping in view religious principles was installed in Afghanistan. Democracy in Afghanistan is still nascent and needs a long way to go.If today democracy is not strengthened in Afghanistan, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will return and if there is no democracy then there will be terror, civil war, dictatorship etc.
Democracy has brought many significant changes in the country. These changes would not be possible, if Taliban had continued to rule. Today millions of girls are going to school along with boys while thousands of women are busy in providing civil services and are active in army, politics, medical and almost all other fields of life. A big portion of Afghan populace supports democratic system and this has been proved by their participation in the elections so far held in Afghanistan. It is the democracy that has made developments possible in media, civil society and in other political, economic and social spheres.
Despite developments in all areas, democracy in Afghanistan faces grave challenges due to persisting security situation and traditional values in the country. Women rights and human rights are violated on daily basis as killing of the people including women and children continues like never before in the past 12 years. Solutions to the problems facing Afghanistan lie in strengthening the democratic values and institutionalizing them in the country.
The international democracy day is the reminder to the authorities in Afghanistan to strictly follow the requirements of a democratic system. This will definitely enhance the ongoing democratic process. If not, the country will reverse to the past which is neither in favor of Afghans nor the international community.
Much needs to be done for making democracy rule Afghanistan in real terms. For democracy to triumph in Afghanistan, the government with support from the international community must take more serious measures.