KABUL (SW): On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, speakers here on Tuesday highlighted the chronic issues faced by women and girls in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a gathering, Qadriya Yazdanparast, commissioner at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission stated that violence against women in the country has increased. She said it has reached to a level where one can say “Afghanistan is hell for women”.
Yazdanparast pointed that during the last 14 years, a large amount of money was spent on projects designed for women’s rights, empowerment and protection but in reality nothing has changed significantly. Masuda Karokhil, a woman parliamentarian, who also spoke on the occasion, stated that family is the first social institution that can either curb or promote violence against women. To reduce violence against women, we need to change the mentality of parents, Karokhi mentioned.
Speaking at the occasion, Habibah Wahaj, advisor to the Vice President, said that to reduce violence against women, there is a need to review the social context of violence. She added that violence cannot be removed unless more practical initiatives are not taken.
ENDS
