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8 October 2004: On the eve of a historic presidential election

© UNICEF Afghanistan/2004/Carwardine

Children in Afghanistan have seen progress in many areas, but more efforts are needed as the country stands on the threshold of a new chapter in its history.

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Edward Carwardine is UNICEF's Communication Officer in Afghanistan. The following are his personal observations on the eve of Afghanistan's first democratic election after the fall of the Taliban.

KABUL, 8 October 2004 - In 24 hours time, the people of Afghanistan will cast their votes in the long-awaited presidential election. Originally planned for June, the election was postponed until 9 October due to security concerns. Despite the growing anticipation, and the fact that this is the first fully democratic national election to take place in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, western commentators have been quick to complain about the lacklustre nature of the election campaign.

It is true that this has not been a traditional election: There have been no televised debates, no campaign caravans charging through 'marginal' provinces, no pollsters counting numbers, undertaking straw polls or drawing huge maps with vibrant colours to show how the undecided voter might be likely to swing.

In fact, I saw the first and only signs of something resembling an election campaign on Wednesday, just three days before the polling stations were to open. A truck bearing placard-carrying young men overtook me in the street. They shouted their support for one of the 18 candidates, and then disappeared around the corner.

People are excited about the chance to vote

Of course, Afghanistan is relatively immature, politically. The last three decades have only seen governments change at the end of a gun or tank barrel. There is no doubt that people are excited about having the chance to vote. The UN confirms that over 10 million people are seizing this democratic opportunity and have registered to take part in the ballot. When it comes to issues, people will tell you that they essentially want the same things: Peace, a good start in life for their families, prosperity, and the chance to live their lives without fear.

The task ahead for the new President in reaching these goals for the children of Afghanistan is underlined in a new report produced by the Afghanistan Central Statistical Office, with the support of UNICEF. Just as this forthcoming election is the first in living memory, Progress of Provinces was the first comprehensive survey of the condition of women and children in Afghanistan in nearly a decade.

Advancing far enough to hold a presidential election in less than three years has been a major achievement. Similarly, the foundations of improved services and support for women and children are being built. Progress has been made in reducing mortality rates, improving immunization coverage, and increasing access to education - especially for girls.

With more children in school than ever before in Afghanistan's history; with the transmission of polio on the verge of being halted; with landmine injuries rapidly declining; and with new advocates joining the fight for children's rights in the form of thousands of religious leaders and community elders, it does look as if there is every chance of a brighter future for the nation's youngest citizens.

"Why is there not more progress?"

But on the global ladder, Afghanistan still ranks low when it comes to basic development indicators. The fact that one child out of every nine born in this country will not survive its first year is disheartening. There is still a lack of potable water, poor sanitation, pervasive poverty, child labour and limited health services for pregnant women. The rest of the list is equally alarming. The challenge for the new, democratic Afghanistan and its leaders is huge.

Over the last three years I have been asked, by journalists, by donors, by friends, "Why is there not more progress?" My answer has always been the same: Look for a moment at post-war Europe. The response of the international community was the Marshall Plan - a plan that aimed to repair six years of war, over a period of three years. Can we realistically expect 23 years of conflict, in a country that was mostly underdeveloped even before the years of strife began, to be repaired in the same time span?

Placing the ballot in the ballot box will not necessarily bring overnight changes for ordinary people here; this is just the first step. There are no quick fixes.

One of the main areas of investment will have to be in the infrastructure and services necessary for upholding the rights of children, for providing them with the best possible start in life. After all, what value does democracy hold if it does not protect those who cannot protect themselves?

Just as the people of Afghanistan will watch the birth of their new democracy, learn to nurture it and help it grow stronger in the years to come, so must we all ensure that Afghanistan's children are given the same degree of care and support now. For one day, it will be their task to take their newfound democracy forward. We must all do our best to prepare them for that serious responsibility.