ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Through a combined effort of the Directorate of Women Affairs in Zabul Province and coalition forces, women of the Tarnek Wa Jaldek district became registered voters during a shura Aug. 24, 2013.
The shura, held as part of a village outreach program, supported three lines of effort for the combined forces.
The first, medical support, provided medical treatment and care to women and children. The women were given humanitarian items such as blankets, mosquito nets, towels and hygiene items to help them and their families.
Second, female Afghan Police officers assisted with searches at the entry control point. This was significant because out of the eight female police officers throughout the province, two were present at TWJ helping ensure their safety.
Their presence poses as a recruitment tactic, said Cpt. Johanna Smoke, Combined Task Force Duke Female Engagement Team chief, because the women at the shura were able to see women playing a vital role in their society.
Present were female practitioners, female security, a female government official, and female partner forces from Romania showing their support. Smoke said this showed the women how important and effective they are to the continued success of Afghanistan.
The final line of effort of the shura, and the primary reason coalition forces sponsored the event, was voter registration. Sadiqa Jalali, Directorate of Women Affairs, Zabul Province, expressed the importance of voter registration.
"Our military friends here are doing their best for the people and the country," said Sadiqa. "It is our turn to do the same by casting our voices in an unified effort for all the women of Afghanistan."
As has been the case since election efforts began, coalition forces did not participate in the registration process. However, by the end of the day, the number of women registered to vote within the district increased from 15 to 54.
"The DoWA emphasized to the women to not wait and to be proactive," said Smoke. "It's important for them to register within their districts, where they have two to three sites because it will be difficult for them to travel to the capital to register at the last minute."
After Sept. 25, the province will only have one site for registration in the capital city of Qalat. Before then, Smoke said they plan to visit three other districts with a hope to return to TWJ before the end of September.
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