|
Annual Report 2004: Preface
Twenty five years to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the onset of the disastrous episode of Afghan history,
the country had it's first democratic election. While some serious problems emerged in the process, the election
proceeded without any major violent incident and the public participation was enthusiastic with a significant female
participation.
The high levels of voter turn-out can be attributed to the general war weariness of the population and
their hopes for a peaceful and prosperous future. The challenge now will be to build upon this momentum and
further strengthen the democratic institutions through education and capacity building.
The burgeoning enrollment of students - specially girls - in schools during 2005 was also an en-couraging
sign, further underlining the changing social attitudes of the society and a return to normalcy.
That being said, major problems still remain. For example, the issue of poppy cultivation and drugs
trade remains largely unresolved. This situation will not only undermine the short term peace building
and security attempts, but also with its longer persistence, further permeate the society and its institutions.
Thus making it harder to explicate the society from its consequences of violence and lawlessness. Needless to
say, among the first victims of the spread of this culture will be women and children.
As with previous years, Shuhada Organization remained active in the fields of education, health care
and income generation among many. As will be borne out by the contents of this report for the year 2004,
our focus rested on the integration of women in the reconstruction process and also their participa-tion
in the democratic processes.
In the end, we are thankful for the donors who have supported our projects and will urge them to continue
their valuable support, especially for projects that help Afghan women and children.
We are also thankful to the communities who have welcomed us in their midst and continued to invest
their confidence in our activities.
|
