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A group of women’s rights activists on Sunday criticized President Ashraf Ghani for rejecting the appointment of a female nominee as ambassador of Afghanistan to Indonesia.

Documents seen by TOLOnews show that Asila Wardak was proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on March 30 to be appointed as ambassador of Afghanistan to Indonesia, but her appointment was rejected and instead Faizullah Zaki, former Minister of Labor, was appointed as the Afghan envoy in Jakarta.  

Another letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that Marya Akhtari with twelve years of experience was proposed as counselor to the Afghan embassy in Moscow, but Ghani again rejected the nominee and replaced her with Humayun Mohtat, former head of the National Electronic Identity Cards Department.  

“They bring some women on the scene and it is only a symbolic act. But when it comes to the diplomatic institutions, there are two women who are diplomats and have work experience and specialization, they do not accept them and instead appoint two men based on their ‘nepotism’ and based on the deals they had in the campaigns and this is questionable,” said former cabinet minister Farida Mohmand.

“Many political games are taking place between all these. So far, only the demands of men have been valued,” said women’s rights activist Mahbuba Saraj.

However, the MoFA spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi said that Mr. Zaki was appointed to the post based on the proposal of the ministry.  

“Mr. Faizullah Zaki has been appointed as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Indonesia on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the approval of the President,” Ahmadi said. “The national unity government considers special place to women. We have many female ambassadors.”

Sources within the government said President Ghani is adopting “political and ethnic” issues while dealing with appointments in government, particularly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The sources said that recently Ghani appointed a man from Herat to serve as Afghan Ambassador to Sweden who lacked the required experience for the position. According to the sources, the Swedish government then rejected the nominee.

Women’s rights activists say that women are given “priority” when it comes to appointment in government’s key posts.  

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A group of women’s rights activists on Sunday criticized President Ashraf Ghani for rejecting the appointment of a female nominee as ambassador of Afghanistan to Indonesia.

Documents seen by TOLOnews show that Asila Wardak was proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on March 30 to be appointed as ambassador of Afghanistan to Indonesia, but her appointment was rejected and instead Faizullah Zaki, former Minister of Labor, was appointed as the Afghan envoy in Jakarta.  

Another letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that Marya Akhtari with twelve years of experience was proposed as counselor to the Afghan embassy in Moscow, but Ghani again rejected the nominee and replaced her with Humayun Mohtat, former head of the National Electronic Identity Cards Department.  

“They bring some women on the scene and it is only a symbolic act. But when it comes to the diplomatic institutions, there are two women who are diplomats and have work experience and specialization, they do not accept them and instead appoint two men based on their ‘nepotism’ and based on the deals they had in the campaigns and this is questionable,” said former cabinet minister Farida Mohmand.

“Many political games are taking place between all these. So far, only the demands of men have been valued,” said women’s rights activist Mahbuba Saraj.

However, the MoFA spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi said that Mr. Zaki was appointed to the post based on the proposal of the ministry.  

“Mr. Faizullah Zaki has been appointed as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Indonesia on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the approval of the President,” Ahmadi said. “The national unity government considers special place to women. We have many female ambassadors.”

Sources within the government said President Ghani is adopting “political and ethnic” issues while dealing with appointments in government, particularly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The sources said that recently Ghani appointed a man from Herat to serve as Afghan Ambassador to Sweden who lacked the required experience for the position. According to the sources, the Swedish government then rejected the nominee.

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