PUL-I-ALAM (SW): The endemic dilemma of forced marriages continues in eastern Logar province as a number of young girls are either married-off to older men or given away to settle feuds.
Young Shukurya is one such hopeless woman who was married to a 65-year old man few months ago. She has now been divorced by her husband. “I remained subject to violence at my husband’s house for six months, he forced me out of home in the night and I spent that night in a mosque, I appeal for justice”, she said.
Shafiqua, a resident of Mohammad Agha district told Salam Watandar that a number of girls have been through similar hardships. “I strongly believe that first of all families should treat their girls equally and not force them into unwanted marriage, secondly the human rights bodies and the women affairs department should take care of them”, she stressed.
At the Logar Provincial Council, Nafisa Hijra, a female member, believes that not much has been done in terms of countering outdated ways that are particularly targeted at women. “Not many women know how and where to access the women affairs department”, she lamented.
As per the records, some 50 cases of violence against women were reported in Logar while nearly 100 more cases were reported via informal ways.
Sheema Zargar, head of Women Affairs Department here, told Salam Watandar that an overwhelming number of complaints were related to forced marriages. She revealed that one woman got killed in this regard last year. She mentioned that a comprehensive campaign has been launched in the province to create awareness about women’s rights.
In the eyes of Zohra Khalili, a local women rights campaigner, things have improved in the past few years but still much more needs to be done. She argued that more fundamental improvements are needed such as providing education, economic empowerment and job opportunities for women.
Analysts affirm that overall the cases of violence against women have dropped but the fact that a large number of women and girls remain deprived of education is a serious concern.
ENDS