KABUL: Afghanistan’s most controversial female MP was removed from her post by the lower house of parliament on Monday for calling the house “worse than a stable”.
A videotape of the private TV interview in which Malalai Joya recently made the remarks was shown in the house before most delegates voted for her removal. “A stable is better, for there you have a donkey that carries a load and a cow that provides milk. The parliament is worse than a stable,” she was heard to remark. Joya, seen as controversial and outspoken for criticising some mujahideen leaders and commanders, could not be reached for comment. The 28-year old women’s rights activist is reasonably famous at home, but her real recognition came in the West when she spoke out against some mujahideen figures in 2003.
She won a seat in the 2005 parliamentary elections. There are 68 women MPs in parliament among the 248 lawmakers. |