KHOST CITY (SW): Civil society in Khost has urged upon more and more women and girls in the province to acquire ‘tazkiras’ (identitu cards).
Locals in Khost province claim not even five per cent of the female population in the province have acquired identity cards.
There has been a significant rise in the level of female literacy in the province, however, not many women and girls have acquired the basic identity cards.
The local civil society fear persisting situation would ultimately undermine the participation of women and girls in the electoral system.
Saima, a Khost-based woman, informed Salam Watandar that only few women and girls planning to go abroad for religious pilgrimage, healthcare or otherwise acquire the identity cards. Hameeda, another Khosti woman, lamented that the directorate of women affairs is not actively spreading awareness for this purpose.
Officials acknowledge the problem. Syed Omar Omar, head of the directorate of population census, noted that only around 10 per cent of the female population in the province has acquired identity cards.
Dr. Malalay Wali, head of the directorate of women affairs, mentioned the conservative practices are also causing impediments in this regard. She stressed that the society, particularly educated men should strive to spread awareness about this matter.
ENDS
