http://www.bamdad.af/ en Copyright 2012 news Bamdad News - Afghanistan http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1770 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1770#When:08:16:16Z Wed, 16 May 2012 08:16:16 +0000 Opinion, by Kawa Aahangar
On April 12, President Karzai announced he would consider pushing forward the election timetable, moving the next presidential election from 2014 to 2013, so that the election would not take place alongside the 2014 international troop withdrawal. In response, many lawmakers, media outlets, political parties and other stakeholders are raising tough questions about this proposal. But, does the Constitution of Afghanistan even allow us to consider pushing up the election? ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1766 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1766#When:05:12:56Z Wed, 16 May 2012 05:12:56 +0000 Parliament, By Asar Hakimi
Mass media outlets have grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade in Afghanistan and more and more Afghans are quickly gaining access to popular social media, namely via Facebook and Twitter. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1762 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1762#When:08:28:03Z Thu, 10 May 2012 08:28:03 +0000 Society and Culture, By Zahir Eztarabi
Taliban attacks on schoolgirls and other similar security incidents have disrupted education in several southern provinces of Afghanistan. Reportedly, in Ghazni Province alone, 119 schools, most of which are girls schools have been closed following threats by Taliban insurgents.  Many believe much more must be done to prevent attacks against schoolchildren. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1754 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1754#When:10:19:52Z Mon, 07 May 2012 10:19:52 +0000 Society and Culture, By Zahir Eztarabi
The majority of Afghans are farmers and busy with agricultural activities and animal husbandry.  However, the country imports a major part of its foodstuff and agricultural products from neighboring countries. Agricultural experts believe that lack of access to modern machinery and inadequate irrigation systems are the main reasons for decreasing agricultural products in Afghanistan. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1748 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1748#When:09:26:44Z Sun, 06 May 2012 09:26:44 +0000 Society and Culture, By Qayoom Suroush
A decade after the fall of the Taliban, women advocacy organizations have improved remarkably. Women’s rights activists point to the presence of women’s rights organizations as a clear sign of improving women’s living conditions over the past ten years. They accept that some challenges still exist in this regard. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1744 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1744#When:09:23:45Z Thu, 03 May 2012 09:23:45 +0000 Society and Culture, By Zahir Eztarabi
Here, in Shar-e-Now, a dozen shops selling antique goods and Afghan-made handicrafts shape a narrow road called Chicken Street. Once this area was one of the most crowded markets in Kabul, but now few customers pass by each day. The market is near the Ministry of Interior Affairs and both entrances to the street are heavily secured and blocked by security barriers. You can only walk in, no vehicle is allowed. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1740 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1740#When:04:16:04Z Thu, 03 May 2012 04:16:04 +0000 Society and Culture, By Hamidullah Habibi
Analysts believe that despite some challenges, Afghan mass media outlets have developed remarkably over the past decade which is incomparable in the media’s history in Afghanistan. They say that compared to regional media, Afghan mass media outlets have furthered freedom of speech over the past decade. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1736 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1736#When:06:42:47Z Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:42:47 +0000 Politics, By Zahir Eztarabi
With the deadline for international troop withdrawal in 2014 getting closer, the majority of Afghan citizens are becoming increasingly concerned about their country’s future. Though there is no clear picture of what is in store for post-2014 Afghanistan, the country’s leadership and citizens articulate a myriad of mounting concerns. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1724 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1724#When:10:01:25Z Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:01:25 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Waheedullah Tawhidi, the Director of Media Watch at the Nai Supporting Open Media Organization, explains the achievements and challenges faced by mass media over the past decade. He warns, however, that the future of mass media after 2014 does not look promising. Mass media outlets will not be able to broadcast if the international community decreases assistance to Afghanistan and if no action is taken to make Afghan media self-sufficient. Tawhidi also argues that much of Afghanistan’s mass media seek to embrace democratic principles and support freedom of speech. “But, they are occasionally facing some problems by domestic elements against freedom of speech,” he says. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1726 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1726#When:05:48:12Z Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:48:12 +0000 Politics, By Asar Hakimi
There are complex and varied explanations over the feeble role of political parties on the Afghan political scene. A new Political Parties’ Law introduced by the Ministry of Justice in 2009 was designed to encourage more representative parties. Nonetheless, political analysts and other stakeholders argue that more solutions are needed and that political party development is key to augmenting Afghanistan’s democratic trajectory. They suggest that political party development has been stunted by negative public perceptions, constraints in the electoral system, poor government support, and insecurity, among other factors. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1713 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1713#When:11:28:26Z Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:28:26 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Dr Sahibnazar Muradi, urban affairs expert and former member of the Kabul Municipality Planning Committee, discusses the many complex challenges of living in urban Kabul and provides solutions to move the city forward. According to Muradi, a lack of effective monitoring by the municipal government over its construction and reconstruction activities as well as a misuse of power by the municipal officials have stunted urban growth in Kabul. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1715 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1715#When:08:08:04Z Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:08:04 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Mohammad Naser Hafizi, Political Parties and Social Institutions Coordinator at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) explains that following changes in the Political Parties Law, only 46 out of 110 political parties have reregistered. He says that changes brought to the previous law were designed to encourage countrywide and non-ethnic parties. “The government not only did not prevent political party development, but has tried to develop parties” he says. “It is the political parties’ failure that they do not play a more remarkable role in the country’s political system.” ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/videos/1712 http://www.bamdad.af/english/videos/1712#When:05:41:13Z Sun, 22 Apr 2012 05:41:13 +0000 bamdad.af
What would you do if you were president of the country? ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1706 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1706#When:05:19:42Z Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:19:42 +0000 Politics, By Qayoom Suroush
Afghanistan’s Civil Society Organizations (ACSOs) and election stakeholders are advocating for amendments to the country’s Election Law, asserting that electoral reform is central to improving the future of Afghan elections. They believe that the myriad of challenges faced during previous elections are attributed to a number of deficits in the Election Law. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1695 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1695#When:11:12:41Z Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:12:41 +0000 Politics, By Zahir Eztarabi
Given the complex set of challenges faced during the past elections in Afghanistan, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) adopted constructive measures to bolster capacity and improve operational procedures. The Commission’s key measures include a capacity building program for staff and installment of modern information technology (IT). ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1691 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1691#When:09:49:50Z Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:49:50 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, By Qayoom Suroush
Following the controversies of Afghanistan’s most recent presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) is introducing a new structure, duties and authorities law as a means of ensuring a tradition of transparent elections in Afghanistan. The new draft law has already been sent to the National Assembly for legislative review. In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Chief Electoral Officer at the IEC, outlines components of the newly proposed law and explains the reasoning behind its development. According to Ahmadzai, changes to the electoral system demand far reaching political support. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1685 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1685#When:04:43:18Z Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:43:18 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Qayoom Suroush
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Naheed Farid, a member of the National Assembly from Herat Province voices concerns over the treatment of women in Afghanistan. She responds to the recent controversial statement made by the Ulama Council (Islamic Scholars Council) calling for the segregation of men and women in work, school and other areas of public life.  Farid insists that female representatives in the National Assembly will never allow opponents of women’s rights to derail the advancement of women in society. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1683 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1683#When:08:35:19Z Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:35:19 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
Semin Barekzai served as one of the representatives for Herat within the National Assembly – Afghanistan’s legislature –– for eight months before she and eight other representatives were removed from the assembly following a controversial decision by the government.  Six months ago, Barekzai received domestic and international attention through her 18-day hunger strike as a form of civil protest against her removal from the National Assembly.  In an interview with www.bamdad.af Barekzai talks about her experiences as the first Afghan woman to go on a hunger strike and the reasons behind her protest.  She complains her partners in the Coalition for Support of Rule of Law as well as the media remained silent after her she and her protest tent were forcibly removed. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1680 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1680#When:08:11:36Z Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:11:36 +0000 Society and Culture, By Asar Hakimi
Afghanistan, with its diverse ethnic groups and many different languages has often experienced ethnic conflicts, which in turn have led the country into civil war over the past decades. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1676 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1676#When:06:36:25Z Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:36:25 +0000 Society and Culture, By Asar Hakimi
With the arrival of spring and the start of the new solar year (1391) in Afghanistan, the government is taking extensive measures to prevent any security threats against Nowruz [first day of solar calendar] ceremonies taking place across the country. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1668 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1668#When:05:19:32Z Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:19:32 +0000 Politics, By Hamidullah Habibi
On March 5, The Wolesi Jirga [Lower House] of the Afghan Assembly issued votes of confidence to nine cabinet ministers nominated for the legislature’s approval, ushering in an end to the longstanding controversy over the unapproved cabinet head posts. Seven out of the nine minister-nominees had been working as acting ministers for almost two and half years. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1664 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1664#When:06:58:26Z Sun, 11 Mar 2012 06:58:26 +0000 Society and Culture, By Hamidullah Habibi
Not enough Done to Combat Violence Against Women in Afghanistan Fifteen year old Sahar Gul from Baghlan Province was forced to marry Ghulam Sakhi, 30, in exchange for 260,000 Afghanis (approximately 5,531 U.S. dollars) when she was only 14. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1659 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1659#When:06:13:45Z Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:13:45 +0000 Opinion, By: Masoma Mohammadi, Director of the Equality Social and Cultural Organization
While the majority of Afghan women are facing tremendous obstacles and hardships across the country, the Afghan government, civil society and women’s advocacy organizations are celebrating March 8th in recognition of International Women’s Day in Afghanistan. Violence, verbal abuse and offensive behavior against women are common practices in Afghan society and yet no one recognizes them as extremely harmful to women. The main reason for such practices is the “sustained domination of men” over their families and in society. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1648 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1648#When:07:02:23Z Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:02:23 +0000 Society and Culture, By Asar Hakimi
As the process of peace talks with the Taliban intensifies, Afghan civil society and women’s rights activists raise doubts and concerns about losing a decade’s worth of achievements and hard won freedoms. Over the past ten years, frequent efforts have been made to bring the Taliban into the peace process, but according to analysts, no effective outcomes have yet been achieved. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1644 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1644#When:05:12:50Z Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:12:50 +0000 Parliament, By Qayoom Suroush
Afghan Finance Minister Mohammad Omar Zakhelwal presented the 1391 [March 2012 – January 2013] fiscal year annual budget for approval to the Afghan Parliament on Saturday, February 25, 2012. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1641 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1641#When:10:48:09Z Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:48:09 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Qayoom Suroush
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Dr. Akram Arefi, renowned university lecturer of political science, explains the differences between presidential and parliamentary systems.  During the last two months, controversy emerged on Afghanistan’s political scene over a proposal to transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system. However, Dr. Arefi insists that a change to the political system does not always translate into improvements in the underlying political and social issues. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1639 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1639#When:09:19:50Z Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:19:50 +0000 Society and Culture, By Zahir Eztarabi
Thirteen year old Basera sells what she can on the streets to support her family as they struggle to survive Afghanistan’s coldest winter in two decades.  Basera’s story illustrates the daily struggles of Afghan street children and their families. The Afghan government and the international aid agencies provide education and support, but much more is needed to ease the extraordinary burden of street children and their families struggling throughout the country. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/videos/1638 http://www.bamdad.af/english/videos/1638#When:06:44:24Z Mon, 27 Feb 2012 06:44:24 +0000 bamdad.af
Refugees talk about surviving the winter’s frigid temperatures ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1636 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1636#When:07:07:53Z Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:07:53 +0000 Parliament, By Zahir Eztarabi
In the wake of last year’s electoral crisis and controversy over the establishment of a Special Court to adjudicate election related complaints, the Afghan Parliament was divided into two groups: The Coalition for the Support of the Rule of Law (CSRL) and the Reformists. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1634 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1634#When:05:58:44Z Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:58:44 +0000 Society and Culture, By Zahir Eztarabi
Nai Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan has recently opened a media institute with assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide new learning opportunities for journalists and enhance the standards of journalism throughout the country. The institute will officially accept student applicants for the coming year, 1391 (late March 2012). ]]>