Issue no.: 6 | January 2010

CASE SPOTLIGHT

Member of Parliament Suspended, Afghanistan

Malalai Joya, Member of Parliament, was suspended from Parliament on 21st May 2007 for an interview she gave to a private Afghan television station in which she lamented that Afghan Parliament was worse than a stable of animals. She was suspended under Article 70 of the Rules of Procedure of the Wolesi Jigra. These rules were undergoing revision at the time and had not yet been approved by Parliament.

---

Reserved Representative Dishonored, Bangladesh

Hasi Kahn ( Anonymous) became Women MP for the 30 reserved seats in 1986. She was attacked and bombs were thrown at her house. For safety, she had to construct a room on the roof of her house and had to stay there for six months at a stretch.

---

Independent Women Candidate Threatened, India

Madhuri Gupta who wanted to contest the elections in Mukhia village as independent candidate of Mukhia Panchayat was threated that she would have t face serious consequences. when she did not listen to these threats, the goondas murdered her son “Prince”.

---

Woman Politician Harassed, Nepal

Maya Dangi who is affiliated with the Nepali Congress faced severe violence during her political career.. She was accused with false proclamation against her character, due to which she and her daughters had to face social discrimination.

---

Woman Politician Threatened, Pakistan

Mrs. Fahra Naureen is the first woman in her family to enter politics and join Muslim League. She was tortured during 2005 election campaign. People even tore her clothes.

---

Woman Leader Forced to Resign, Sri Lanka

Jyoti ( Anonymous) who belongs to Ceylon Worker's Congress (CWC) Party faced heavy opposition from male counterparts . Though she was elected as the only woman member of Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha unavoidable circumstances and the pressure led her to resign from the post just in six months.