The Afghan constitution of 1964 granted universal suffrage; however, political parties were not allowed. Prior to the constitution power was firmly held by the political elite associated with the royal family. Conservative social norms and limited access to education minimized the participation of women. In Kabul, urban women in the education sector and in women's organizations exercised political influence. Women were elected to parliament and in 1965 the first woman cabinet member was appointed.

In 1978 the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) seized powe…