Local lawbreakers in Maidan Wardak province continue to obstruct the path of Zareefa Ghafari to start her work as mayor of Maidan Shar city, despite her appointment being confirmed following an order by President Ashraf Ghani six months ago.
 
Ghafari claimed that even local officials in the province are defying the implementation of the president’s order.
 
But, officials from the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) have said the relevant body is trying to reach a settlement.
 
“Rights, decrees and the law has been sacrificed in the interests of some people and certain circles,” said Ghafari.
 
According to Ghafari, she succeeded in securing the post following an exam and based on merit.
 
Meanwhile, a number of women’s right activists have said the presence of women in government institutions is very low.
 
Maidan Wardak province is located 35km west of the capital Kabul.
 
“No institution is authorized to meddle against the decree of the president,” said Wahid Farzayee, legal expert.
 
“If the issue continues, we will assign her to the same post somewhere else in the country,” said Sayed Shah, IDLG spokesman.
 
Although government leaders constantly have been saying they strive to increase the presence of women in governance, reality shows government leaders have failed to deliver on their promises when it comes to the expansion of women’s roles in the workforce and institutions.