Scores of women’s rights activists held a demonstration in Kabul on Tuesday to protest against the reduction of quota for women in government.

The activists, carrying banners and placards, marched in front of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and chanted slogans in favor of Afghan women.

A statement issued by Afghan Women’s Network said the national unity government has failed to fulfill the promises made to Afghan women before and after the elections.

Afghan women, said the statement, braved threats and overcome insurmountable odds to vote in the presidential elections last year.

The demands include introducing women as ministers, deputy ministers, provincial governors, ambassadors, general directors of the independent departments and ministries

Both President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah at the inauguration ceremony reaffirmed their commitment to women’s empowerment in Afghanistan and their participation in socio-political affairs.

President Ghani even promised that at least four women will be in the new cabinet of ministers, a commitment he failed to honor. Only three women were nominated in the new cabinet, who eventually faced disqualification owing to discrepancies in their documents.

“This is unacceptable to the Afghan women whose only objective is to serve the country and participate in the rebuilding of the country,” reads the statement.

The activists called on the national unity government to take serious steps in introducing women in the cabinet. The demands include introducing women as ministers, deputy ministers, provincial governors, ambassadors, general directors of the independent departments and ministries.

They have also demanded the introduction of four women nominees to the national assembly. And in case they do not get vote of confidence, the replacement for them should also be women.

Before introducing women in important positions of power, the activists said the government must consult women’s organizations in the country and treat both men and women on equal footing.

“You (parliament members) have an important responsibility of ensuring political participation of half of the population with your honest and unbiased votes to these women nominated as ministers,” the statement said.