Afghans Womens Poetry_022
Qari Gul Mohammed, a Malik attends a training course of Maliks- Village Elders in Jalalabad, Nangrahar Province, Afghanistan on May 6. 2007.\n\nMaliks hold a unique position of respect and influence in their communities, and in a nationwide programme pioneered by WADAN: The Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan. They are taught the principles of human rights, national unity, women's rights, security, problems of drug addiction, democracy and governance. The aim is to use Maliks as a bridge between their communities and the fledgling government in Kabul. Many of them live and operate in regions where the Taliban have influence and their role is to convince the population of the merits of backing the government. Most retain strong criticism of the Kabul government, complaining of corruption, broken promises and the widespread wastage of resources.