Women of Afghanistan find a leader | World War 4 Report: "'Do you know she has been raped? And not only raped: her husband burned her,' Joya says, large eyes flashing beneath long eyebrows that touch her temples, pointing at the woman's groin. 'This is the women of Afghanistan.'

Joya is unusually candid for an Afghan, but then again she is an unusual candidate in the parliamentary elections, which take place on 18 September. She is female and only 26 years old in a country that places great value on the wisdom of 'white-beards' and where many believe women have no role outside the home. And unlike the vast majority of female candidates, who struggle to gain recognition from female voters outside their own families, Joya can count on broad male support. These factors, coupled with her criticism of the government for including warlords, seem destined to land her with a seat in the landmark elections. Beyond Farah, other Afghans are taking up her cause as their country wakes up from 25 years of war and despair."

Reuters AlertNet - Afghan women brave death threats to stand for election: "Women registered to vote in large numbers, forming 44 per cent of those who have signed up in the past year.

But standing for election in the country that still suffers from violent skirmishes in many of its provinces has brought the threat of danger to some female candidates."