ASIA | The illiterate Badam Zari Malala other Pakistan

A Pakistani illiterate Badam Zari will be presented as a candidate for thepresidential elections in Pakistan May 11, representing the tribal area that borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan. 's the first time a woman stands for election in that area , which is particularly conservative and where they almost do not participate in public life. Emulating the young Malala who was shot by the Taliban to defend the education of girls, Zari also aims to encourage the training of girls and women . "I hardly studied. Went to school one or two years, and then my family pushed me to leave the class," says the atypical candidate whoknows how to write his name, but little else . However, talking to a staggering lucidity and clairvoyance, which connects directly with people."In the district of Bajaur lack of everything, not just schools for girls, also hospitals, electricity and roads," he adds, referring to the tribal area for which will go to the polls. The tribal area that borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan is a particularly underdeveloped and conservative territory beyond the control of the government in Islamabad, where the Taliban and terrorists roam, and the bombing of U.S. drones are frequent. There are relegated women at home and radical Islamists have been merciless destroying girls' schools .

A Revolution

The participation rate in the elections of them in that area speaks for itself.Of the 1.7 million voters who are in the tribal area, only 600,000 are women, the lowest percentage across Pakistan. "The mere fact that a woman intends to raise your voice and participate in the elections because it believes it can represent the people better than men, it is a big change, "says the professor of the University of Peshawar, Ijaz Khan. 's a revolution . However, the chances of winning Zari very few . In the National Assembly's 60 seats reserved for women, but none of them to the tribal area. In addition, the candidate does not have nearly funds or support of a political party. "I can not hold rallies, so I have to concentrate on the door to door," said the candidate, 55, has also supported of her husband, Mohammad Sultan , who personally encouraged her to go to the polls. In the 2008 presidential elections , candidates had to prove they had a college degree, which made ​​many false diplomas presented. In the elections on May 11, this condition has been removed and that has opened the door for people like Zari can go to the polls. The woman filed his candidacy for the election commission last weekend, and days ago was validated. " His candidacy will facilitate a more moderate image tribal area. In recent years we have been associated only with the insurgents, terrorists, and attacks. now we can show the rest of the country that we are not well, "says Bahadur Khan , a resident of Khar, the capital of Bajaur. No doubt Zari's candidacy has raised many expectations. "Bajaur deputies have failed to solve our problems. Maybe get a woman", predicts a trader.