GHAZNI CITY (SW): The outdated and cruel practice of giving away girls in feuds is falling in Ghazni province.
For decades, this practice has destroyed the lives of many young girls who are married-off against her choice to someone, usually older men, to settle feuds in various parts of the country. Now, authorities in Ghazni province have noted a significant fall in such cases.
According to the officials at the women affairs department, not a single incident of such sort has been registered in the province in the past two years. It is said that different awareness programs have led to the demise of such incidents, and now cash payment to settle feuds is replacing it.
Fawzia Kakar, director for women rights in the province, told Salam Watandar that the general level of awareness has improved in Ghazni in regard to women rights.
Fatema Rahimi, a member of the provincial council, added that this outdated practice has almost vanished for good in cities and districts across the province. She added that the educated youth has played a key role in bring an end to it by refusing to marry a girl which has been made victim to this tradition.
Abdul Bari Shilgari, another member of the provincial council, said that slowly and gradually the rising level of awareness and literacy have paved the way for overcoming this social stigma.
Assadullah Jalalzai, a local civil society activist, while highlighting the dark side of this practice, said that giving away girls in feuds destroyed the lives of many young girls who were married to men of old age against their choice. He added that this practice did not end the enmity but instead gave birth to a new one.
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