Afghanistan: women judges' group resumes activities - Reports from around the world: Asia and Pacific - Brief Article

WIN News, Summer, 2003

UN WIRE: http:/www.unfoundation.org

"The U.N. Fund for Women is funding the reestablishment earlier this month of the Association of Women Judges of Afghanistan, a group defunct since the start of the Afghan civil war in 1992, Agence France-Presse reported.

The association's 50 members, representing less than 3 percent of the country's 2,000 judges, hope to improve conditions for female members of the legal professions and to offer free legal advice to women.

In the capital, Kabul 'the professional development of these women was halted, due to the opposition of previous governments and the attitude of the Taliban.' said the group's vice president, Huma Alizoy. 'With more than 20 years' experience among some of us, we are as competent as the men.'

Alizoy added that the country's female judges are only able to work in the capital 'for family, cultural and security reasons.'"