PUL-I-KHUMRI - A number of women in northern Baghlan province complain they are unable to find government jobs and the government has failed to honour the promise of increasing women’s role in the public sector entities.
Lailuma, 28, a bachelor’s degree holder, said she had approached several government offices including the governor’s house, the education department and others, but failed to get a job.
“You cannot get a job in government offices if you don’t have connections or money. In addition, females face discrimination when it comes to government jobs,” she said.
Fakhria, another resident of Baghlan, said: “I graduated five years ago from high school. I was in grade 11th when I got married. My husband, who was serving in Afghan security forces, was martyred four years ago.”
The mother of two children, who lives in a rented house, said she had tried a lot to get a teacher job or any other job in other offices.
She said the education department had asked her complete 16 years of education. But she said she was not a situation to continue her higher education. “I do not know what to do now,” she added.
Other Baghlan women said they faced discrimination in government offices. They asked government leaders to be committed to their promises towards increasing women’s role in government offices.
Mohammad Usma Sherzai, a member of Baghlan Civil Society Institutes Network, also confirmed women had a weak presence in government offices and asked the government to fulfill its pledges in this regard.
However, Baghlan administrative reforms and civil services director, Izzatullah Tawhidi, said women in Baghlan had no interest in working at government offices.
“Whenever a vacancy is announced, women do not apply, they only apply for jobs that belong to education department,” he said.
Tawhidi added 70 vacancies were recently announced but not even a single woman had applied. (Pajhwok)