Violence against women is widespread and deeply rooted in Afghanistan, where they are becoming less active in public life eight years after the Taliban regime collapsed, a United Nations official said on Monday.
The UN has spearheaded a 16-day campaign to eliminate violence against women, which is due to end on December 10, the anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights.
”Violence targeting women and girls is widespread and deeply rooted in Afghan society. It is not adequately challenged and condemned by society and institutions,” said Norah Niland, chief UN human rights officer in Afghanistan.
”The space for women in public life is shrinking. The trend is negative,” she told a Kabul news conference.
Banned from public life under the iron fist of the Taliban regime from 1996 until the 2001 United States-led invasion, women still struggle for their rights in the impoverished, deeply conservative and war-torn country.
”No real peace and national development are possible without the elimination of violence against women,” added Zia Moballegh, acting country director for the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development.
”Elimination of violence against women will not be possible without a national will and also the determination of men,” he added. — Sapa-AFP