Unfortunately, women do not even have the power to advocate for change within their government. Karzai and his government are doing their best to exclude women from politics. During the 2003 Loya Jirga, or peaceful gathering, a new Afghan constitution was considered. Western countries pushed Karzai to include women delegates at the convention. Across Afghanistan, women campaigned to be elected to the committee to ensure that in peace talks with the Taliban, women's rights were not compromised in exchange for peace. The deceptive nature of this convention quickly became evident when Malalai Joya, a women's representative, was expelled from the conference for speaking out against the Taliban, many of whose members were present and who had been pardoned for their "war crimes" ( Jalal et al., 2006). Another Loya Jirga was planned in 2009 to discuss the Taliban insurgency and try to reach a peaceful agreement. Although slightly more women were present than previously, the meeting was postponed due to Taliban attacks, demonstrating the true vulnerability of Afghan security and lives (“Peace Unveiled,” 2011). Additionally, in the recent 2014 presidential elections, women were deterred from voting due to Taliban attacks. Furthermore, a significant number of women still vote based on what is “suggested” to them (Mahr, 2014, p. 29). Most polling places, even under heavy surveillance, are the target of suicide bombings or attacks on the police by the Taliban, which leave many dead (Mahr, 2014). Even while trying to include women in the governmental and electoral process, women's rights continue to be stifled by the fear of the still rampant Taliban and stifled by the peace-seeking government. Opponents of Afghan women's rights argue that Westerners cannot make assumptions about identity. ..... middle of article ......&context=bgljLevi, S. (2009, September). The long, drawn out struggle for women's rights in Afghanistan. Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective, 2(12). Retrieved from http://origins.osu.edu/article/long-long-struggle-women-s-rights-afghanistan Mahr, K. (2014, April 14). Waiting for the Taliban. Time, 183(14), 24-38. McCurry, S. (1984, December). Afghan girl [Photograph]. National Geographic. Retrieved from http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/Photographers/afghan-girl-cover.html Peace Unveiled [TV episode]. (October 25, 2011). In P. Hogan, G. Reticker, AE Disney and C. Rizzi (Producer), Women, War and Peace. New York, NY: PBS. Women in Afghanistan: the story. (October 25, 2013). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from Amnesty International UK website: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/womens-rights-afghanistan-history#.U0If0FzxWP8