The Vote of Women Does Matter....

(This article appears in the September newsletter for the Junior League of Annapolis)

WOMEN BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES: Afghan Women Remind Us Why Voting is Important
By Stacie Oliver

In the coming months, Annapolitans will go to the polls to elect a new mayor. The primary will be held September 15th and the general election will occur November 3rd. Many of you may not be planning to vote for a number of reasons – “I just don’t have the time,” “I don’t know any of the candidates,” “who really cares,” or “my vote doesn’t matter anyway.” You couldn’t be more wrong – one way women contribute to building better communities is by participating in the selection of leadership. I was reminded of just how important the women’s vote is last month in Afghanistan.

I recently served as an International Election Observer in Herat, Afghanistan during the presidential and provincial council elections on August 20, 2009. It was an honor and privilege to observe the enthusiasm shown by women as they went to the polls to exercise the hard-fought right to select their local and national leadership for only the second time in their history. Women defied the threats of the Taliban and other dangerous warlords to make their voice heard. They lined up at the polls as early as 4:30 a.m. to ensure they had the time to cast their ballot before being restricted to their homes for family duties the remainder of the day.

Why did these women come out to vote? I asked many that question and was impressed by their reasons – “I want to have a say in who runs my country,” “it is my obligation to participate if I want democracy to flourish,” “I want to set an example for my daughter that women should not be intimidated,” and “I am excited to be part of my country’s history.” Yes, some of the women said they were afraid that the polling centers may be bombed but they also said that they needed to not let those that view women as possessions win and keep them home. Nor did they want to forget that democracy came with rights and obligations for participation.

Hopefully we can be inspired by the courage and conviction of the women of Afghanistan in the coming election season and beyond – I know I have been. Each vote cast truly does make a difference in more ways than the final vote count.