In order to underline the immense worth of women in collective progress of a society, every year March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day (IWD). The day reminds us of our duties guaranteeing them for protection and equality in every arena of human endeavors. Women's equality has made positive gains but is still unequal in Afghanistan. The day in fact celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

This day holds especial significance for elaborating the dire condition faced by the women of Afghanistan. Whether inside families or the society, Afghan women face countless problems ranging from physical and emotional violence to sexual abuse, lack of access to education and basic health services and the agony of being considered inferior human beings. According to article 22nd of the Constitutional Law of Afghanistan, “The citizens of Afghanistan, man and woman, have equal rights and duties before the law.” But in practice, such things are not observable, as man is considered superior than woman and women have to follow the rules defined by men not by the government.

Following the traces of history we come to know, the first International Women's Day was held in 1911. In the West, International Women's Day was first observed as a popular event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women's rights and world peace. A ceremonial commemoration of the day occurs too in Afghanistan, to remind the irresponsible if not negligent government with demands of putting an immediate end to interminable violence against women. There are for sure multiple cases of work harassment, physical abuse, prejudices and marital and extra-marital rapes unreported on this very day, under the very nose of government.

Much has been achieved in regards of women rights since the fall of Taliban regime that went to extreme levels to step over women rights by barring them from getting education and even stepping out of their homes without a male accompanying them. But for majority of women population life has not changed much than under Taliban. Most of the women rights activists maintain that the government has been using issues pertaining to women as a tool to improve its image at the international level. All its measures have been symbolic and no fundamental change in the condition of women is observable, although the government has received billions for the same purpose.

Violence against women is a dramatic problem in Afghanistan that has caused lots of damages to the life of women itself as well as to the society. In Afghanistan violence against women is much widespread and deeply rooted in different parts of the country. Women have no or little voice to be heard and they have always been victims of violence either from their own family or from the society. The graph of violence in Afghanistan such as domestic violence, honor killing, and sexual violence against women and young girls is escalating uninterrupted. Every alternate day endless tales of butcheries, physical torture, harassment and sexual assaults are surfaced where women render prey to flawed cultural practices, biased if not blind laws and so-called Sharia doctrines.

Formerly, Afghanistan’s Human Rights Commission report surfaced that read, attacks against women increased in both frequency and brutality. The report cautions women suffering multiplies with complete withdrawal of US combat forces from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan needs to allow its women more rights and freedom. They form 50% percent of the population. Without their active participation in social, political and economic spheres, it is almost impossible for fast-pace development to occur in this country.

It is election season in Afghanistan and on women’s day the presidential candidates are expected to specifically focus on ways of improving the condition of women by presenting their plans at various forums. Since the beginning of election campaign, however, one of the major issues that have been intensively discussed is the women rights. Whether it is election debates, talk shows or social media statuses of the presidential candidates all talk of improving the condition of Afghan women. Even the candidates that have been warlords give hefty promises to the women of the country.    

There is no hope the current administration can do anything for women as Afghans are only a few weeks away from electing their new president. Nonetheless, the most solid commitment the candidates running for the presidential seat should make regarding women right is quite obvious: They must ensure they will work not only to protect the hard-won gains of women but also make practical measures to address the critical issues facing the Afghan women and provide them opportunities for developing in all social, political and economic areas.