Women and public policy in Afghanistan: A comment

Abstract

Summary. - Policies to assist Afghan women are an important subject for discussion. An article in World Development (Moghadam, Valentine, M., "Building human resources and women's capabilities in Afghanistan: A retrospect and prospects," World Development, Vol. 22, No. 6 (1994), pp. 859-875) addresses this subject, but gives an inadequate account of the historical context within which policies must be devised. Memories of the terroristic means used by communist regimes during 1978-92 to impose "reforms" upon an unreceptive society remain a significant barrier to the expansion of women's opportunities. It is counterproductive to abuse or threaten the new Afghan rulers: a carefully executed process of consultation with established powerholders is required if enlightened policies for Afghan women are to be implemented.