The Associated Press (AP) reports on August 24 that early surveys “suggest that voter turnout fell more sharply for women than for men” during the August 20 national election in Afghanistan. Election monitors and observers have cited Taliban attacks and threats, a lack of female election workers and closed female voting sites as causes for the low turnout. The 2009 estimated overall turnout is 40-50 percent, standing in stark contrast with a 70 percent turnout in the 2004 elections.

Afghan women were at a marked disadvantage on the recent election day. Required to vote at separate polling stations, women were met with at least 650 closed stations, as the Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan reports. In a certain southern province, only 6 of 36 women’s stations were reported open. The relatively safe north of Afghanistan did experience a “solid female turnout,” as AP describes.

Many women braved the threats and intimidation of their surroundings and chose to run for elected office, with two women included among the 36 presidential candidates. An additional 333 women campaigned for seats in provincial council elections. AP reports that official results in the presidential and provincial council elections are not expected for weeks.

Afghan elections seen as a setback for women-Associated Press

Intimidation and Fraud Observed in Afghan Election-The New York Times