Women Rule

About a week ago, I was fortunate enough to attend the screening of Frontrunner: The Afghan Woman Who Surprised the World, a documentary film about Dr. Massouda Jalal. A woman who ran for president. In Afghanistan.

Needless to say, though you know I must, it was a tremendous story. This woman's certainty and bravery took her from war-torn impovershed towns to another, to campaign for and amazingly claim voting bids from tribal blocks, inspiring individuals and communities to speak and advocate for basic rights. This, in a culture that concludes that women should not be allowed to hold any kind of power, let alone political strength.

The election took place in 2004 and Dr. Jalal did not win the election, of course, Hamid Karzai did. However, it's important to note that despite a "mishap" in the voting process (what should have been semi-permanent inks used to mark a voter's thumb proved to be immediately washable and removable) Dr. Jalal placed sixth out of sixteen in the final tally.

This is a great achievement for her country and societies everywhere in that women must not only have the right to sit at the political table, but should be absolutely present. That is the point and fundamental message from WOMEN RULE, an incredible advocacy group led by the incomparable Virgina Williams, who produced and brought the film to life. Support also comes from VITAL VOICES, investors in celebrating the leadership and contributions of women.

There was a discussion at the end of the film and it was remarkable to hear Dr. Jalal converse among colleagues about the topics affecting women and Afghanistan. Two particular points that made an impression on me... One, she stated that the Afghani people welcome President Obama and are grateful for the additional troops being sent as they provide much needed security and construction in much of the rebuilding that needs to be done.

Two, she spoke of her fearlessness in activism which is rooted in her desire to have a meaningful death, in other words, to live a meaningful life. The question was posed during the Q&A portion of the event and put forth by none other than SuperForest's Jackson Nash... which you can read in it's entirety here--> SuperForest Celebrity: Dr. Massouda Jalal

Thanks to SuperForest in providing access for me to attend the event at the incredible Paley Center for Media, but also the great opportunity to shake hands with Dr. Massouda Jalal. I will never forget that I got to be in the presence of her and her powerful words, she who is the former Minister of Women's Affairs for Afghanistan, a woman holding a doctorate in two medical fields, and a wife and mother of three.