The UN Aid Mission to Afghanistan and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission reported that Afghan women demonstrated an increased interest in political matters, but voted in fewer numbers than men. "Increased interest in political matters" is not defined, nor are any numbers given, so we may learn that women's increased interest in political matters does not include an interest in voting themselves, but rather in having their male relatives vote by proxy. In fact, an increased interest may not have anything to do with voting -- it may simply be evidence of a recognition of the connection between political matters and personal matters. It may not even be statistically significant. Regardless, an increase in interest is an increase in interest and we can add it to the positive developments list. If Tip O'Neill is right and all politics are local, Afghanistan is not an exception to the rule: turnout for the provincial election was higher than for the presidential election. A number of writers and commentators have argued the importance of Afghanistan's tribal society. As turnout suggests, Afghans place greater importance on/have a greater interest in their provincial government than their national government. While research in gender and governance in developing countries is limited, there is some evidence that women's involvement in local government leads to more equitable distribution of resources, and at least in the US, it is easier for women to participate in local government. A shift in power from a corrupt central government plagued with difficulties to stronger provincial governments could allow women to play a greater role in governance. Finally, the draft law to eliminate violence against women, endorsed by President Karzai, is under Parliamentary review, though it is unclear whether this law or the Shia Personal Status law would take precedence. The Shia Personal Status law (aka marital rape is fine, well unless the world objects, but if it gets Karzai reelected then cool). Not a lot of good news in that piece of legislation. However, the law eliminating violence against women is still in the pipeline, and that may supersede the Shia law. What are the odds? Probably not good, but at least the Shia law isn't a done deal. Yet. Yes, there's bad news. Embassies in Kabul reported an increase in visa requests, attacks against the aid community are up, as are civilian casualties, and there are no indications that the security situation in late 2009/early 2010 will improve. However, the section on suicide attacks in Kabul notes that several attacks in Kabul were prevented by Afghan security institutions. Did we hear about these successes? Didn't think so. Cause if it bleeds it leads, and if it doesn't, we'll find something that does. We hear too little about what's going well, and probably too much about what's going poorly. Is it all sunshine and roses for women's rights? No. But it's not all doom and gloom either.