Jan 29, 2020
Andrea Macdonald, founder of ideaXme, interviews Mayor Zarifa Ghafari, first female mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital city of a province in Afghanistan and voted as one of the BBC 100 Women of 2019.
Andrea Macdonald comments: The current war in Afghanistan began with the United States invasion on the 7th October 2001. It has cost the USA1 trillion dollars and the world, including Afghanistan, over 150,000 lives. The Washington Post’s ‘Afghanistan Papers’ is the latest contribution to a growing argument over whether the conflict, or any of the ‘forever wars’, was worth the cost.
Mayor Zarifa Ghafari:
Here, we talk to Mayor Zarifa Ghafari, a brave woman who argues for continued international presence in "Afghanistan's international war" and states how at both a local and international level we can all make a difference.
Only 26 years old, Mayor Zarifa Ghafari has an MA in Economics from the University of Punjab and has had to fight for everything that she has achieved. As well as carrying out her role as the first female mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital city of a province in Afghanistan, she is the founder of Peghla radio stationand of NGO "APAW" Assistance and Promotion of Afghan Women.
In this ideaXme interview we talk of the daily challenges that both she and her country face.
Awaiting her assassination:
Mayor Zarifa Ghafari told the New York Times in October 2019 that she awaits her assassination.Threats to her security are centred on the work she carries out as a female mayor in a war-zone. She remains adamant: "I am in love with my job!".
Ghafari took up her position as first female mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital of Maidan Wardak province Afghanistan, 10 months ago. She explains to ideaXme why the Afghanistan war is an international war that requires a continued international presence in Afghanistan. She talks of her work to promote women's rights and education, the numerous projects for which she has been responsible in her 10 months so far as mayor. Ghafari also talks of her journey to becoming mayor and the hurdles she faced in taking up the position. Moreover, she explains why she urgently needs security assistance to continue the work she does.
Below, read part of interview transcript. The full transcript www.radioideaxme.com includes details of who Mayor Zafari would like to meet as well as who has helped her the most to carry out her work and further her career.
Moving the human story forward in Afghanistan and the world.
Andrea Macdonald, founder ideaXme: Hello. Who are you?
Zarifa Ghafari, Mayor of Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan: This is Zarifa Ghafari from Afghanistan, mayor of the Wardak Province.
Working in a war zone:
Andrea Macdonald, founder ideaXme: Your job is extremely dangerous. It is necessary as a woman, as anyone, to be very brave to do what you do. Could you talk about your job?
Zarifa Ghafari, Mayor of Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan: My job is full of problems for me but it's interesting, amazing and I love it because I am the first female mayor for my province of Wardak. It is still not safe. It is a war zone province. I am a female mayor of a province where women don’t have rights. Most women are still deprived of education rights and humanitarian rights. Even walking outside is difficult.
Zarifa Ghafari, Mayor of Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan: I am the mayor of a province where people still don't believe women should take part in society. So, I’m really proud of my job but it’s not safe. It is really dangerous and full of problems - social, political, cultural and security problems. But I’m really proud of my job. I roam around the city and get involved with a big group of men who are not so pleased to have a female mayor. I'm in love with my job.
Andrea Macdonald, founder ideaXme: You were appointed in 2018, but you weren't allowed to take up the role immediately. Can you talk about that?
The right to do my job as Mayor of Wardak:
Zarifa Ghafari, Mayor of Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan: Yes, for nine months I wasn't allowed to join my office. It was really tough and full of problems. I went through a competitive process; I have a degree. But some groups of men, the land mafia and two people involved with the government were making problems for me because they didn’t want to accept a female mayor. I never lost my hope. I just kept fighting for it and went through a long process of waiting. Finally, after nine months it was over, and I became a part of my office. It was great.
For the full transcript please visit www.radioideaxme.com. ideaXme is a global podcast also on 10 audio platforms. You can also find this interview in video format on our YouTube channel.
Follow ideaXme on Twitter @ideaxm and on Instagram @ideaxme. ideaXme is a global movement to inspire universal curiosity and participation in the ideas that shape our world.
Mission: Move the human story forward!™