Today’s Independent carries an excellent interview with the truly inspiring Afghan politician, Malalai Joya. Ms. Joya, an outspoken critic of the heavy presence of warlords and anti democratic forces in the Afghan parliament, won recognition from the international community when she was suspended from her role as a representative of Farah province. A passionate advocate of democracy and women’s rights, she has won admiration and respect for highlighting the West’s role in empowering assorted warlords and criminals through the occupation - and the failure of the six-year war to encourage the spread of women’s rights.
