Interview with Loya Jirga delegate Sa'era Sharif

As the historic Constitutional Loya Jirga enters its sixth day in the capital Kabul, the 500-member grand council has yet to tackle the substantive business of the gathering - ratifying the country's post-conflict draft constitution. Sa'era Sharif is a delegate from the eastern province of Khowst, one of just 100 female representatives. In an interview with IRIN, she gave her views on the week's proceedings and her hopes for the gathering. QUESTION: How do you feel being in such a big and historic gathering? ANSWER: Well, as a researcher in social science and as an Afghan woman, it is challenging to be at such a gathering. It is also challenging that despite [the fact that] women comprise 20 percent of the [membership of the] Loya Jirga, we have to struggle to maintain a bright future for millions of women suffering from violence, ultraconservatism,illiteracy,maternal mortality and many other deprivations. I am really proud of being a part of the Loya Jirga as it has great historic value, and after years of misery and disorder, Afghans, both men and women, have at last come together peacefully to achieve some kind of progress. Q: What is your assessment of how the past week has gone? A: I have researched Loya Jirgas in Afghanistan from pre-Islamic times until now. The current Loya Jirga has plenty of weight, because, despite the tensions and disputes that have led to three decades of conflict imposed on the Afghans, various groups have come together to decide on the future of the country. But in the last five days I have noticed that many delegates are raising issues which are irrelevant to the constitutional debate. Some of the delegates, I mean men and women, are using this traditional council to advance their own factions. Q: Has the representation of women at this Loya Jirga been important? A: Oh yes, we should feel responsible, because hundreds of thousands of women are expecting us to bring a change to their current and future situation. But many females here do not seem to care about national unity and solidarity. There's a lack of political awareness. Rather than sitting together and discussing with each other the problems of Afghan women, during off times most go out in groups and enjoy the sightseeing of Kabul. Q: Do you have any particular concerns about the draft constitution? A: I have gone through the draft constitution, article by article, and I do not have any particular concerns. Some minor changes need to be undertaken, but these should be debated in a democratic atmosphere, not with threats and violence as we've seen this week. Q: Given the delays, how long do you think the discussions will continue? A: If it continues like this - I mean debating irrelevant issues off the agenda, it will take weeks. This is a big challenge for us. Because there is no intervention of UN or the international community, we have to decide and work it out ourselves. We have to make sure we succeed. We should realise this and forget old disputes or irrelevant factional or partisan discussions. Q: What is your reaction after the threats of violence and expulsion of Malalai Juya, who criticised some of the delegates - mostly warlords - saying they should face justice rather than being in positions of responsibility at the Loya Jirga? A: We were not silent on this, and the influence of women delegates prevented expulsion of the lady. But the people of Afghanistan have suffered a lot, and women have suffered more than others. Therefore, Malalai might have experienced bitter miseries as a woman and the elders in the session should have understood this.