Q: Being first lady mayor in Afghanistan seems outstanding. You always wanted to get into public service?
A: Well, yes. I have worked with different communities in Afghanistan and Iran for 10 years. I was living in Iran initially and returned to Afghanistan in 2001. Communities I worked with include Centre for Refugee Students and also for students who wanted to study as I worked as school manager. With such experience, I wanted to work for development of Afghanistan. When I was selected as mayor, I was competing with four men for the post.
Q: How do your male colleagues react to your instructions?
A: They have to obey me; they have to listen to me. Initially, there was an attitude of ignoring me in what I say. But I started my work firmly. After some time when I started explaining them the reasons for my decision, male colleagues at municipality started taking me as a thinking woman.. Gradually people have started accepting women as good administrators.
Q: How would the Ahmedabad visit help you?
A: Ahmedabad is a nice city. I am here to find out the problems being faced by the residents and the mechanism to address the problems. The visit will also help me solve many similar problems in Afghanistan. I am curious to know about livelihood programmes here.
Q: What is your opinion about the progress of women there?
A: Things have changed a little after the fall of Taliban. Mindset of women has been changing. They have started feeling being part of the international community. Unfortunately, after several years not many women are in parliament. People are more than fundamentalist. Patriarchy still prevails in Afghanistan. Respect for women is still a slogan and not a belief. But still women are making a mark and coming out of the shell steadily.
Q: Any special plans for women’s upliftment?
A: I think as a mayor, I have to think of every one and not only about women’s upliftment. I want to do many things for civic infrastructure, for rehabilitation of many Afghani people. Education is one thing I would like to emphasise upon.
Q:What do you think is the biggest challenge for you as a mayor?
A: Daykondi province is a new province, established only five years ago. Though the master plan for the city is ready, we are not getting the requ-isite support from the gove-rnment.
