Women Arise - Afghanistan

August 2009

'The Sex Law' may have been watered down but forced marriage, domestic violence and rape still define life for most Afghan women. Now a fledgling women's rights movement is determined to change that legacy.

It's more than 8 years since the Taliban ruled Herat but for many women here, life has barely changed. In this refuge called 'Voice of Women', Suraya tries to combat the abuse of women under President Karzai. 'Forced and child marriage has not reduced since 2001. It's still a common practice' says Suraya. For those not lucky enough to make it to her shelter, prison is the alternative. Young girls are charged with 'running away from home' and 'adultery'. 'Here rape is considered adultery' reveals Suraya. 12 year old Nadia says she 'doesn't know how to live' anymore after being raped and charged with adultery. Earlier this year President Karzai passed a law stopping women from going out without men, restricted their power of divorce and enforced sex at least every four days. He reviewed the law after local and international pressure. But for those brave enough to fight for women's rights, the stakes are getting higher - the Taliban are targeting and assassinating activists. 'I would like to suffer today for women's rights' says Suraya. Will the women's rights movement be able to turn the democratic process to their advantage?

Category:

News & Politics

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• arise
• journeyman
• pictures
• afghanistan
• taliban
• rights
• oppression
• sex
• marriage
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• journeyman pictures

[Klingschor]

This is sickening

[P3RSIANpinoy]

This makes me sick

I pray for all Afghan and Iranians freedom 

[easternshock]

@afghanistan941 No hijab in Turkey! No hujab in Afghanistan! No burqa!

[auracatalina]

That guy at 7:30 is talking out if his ass.

[afghanistan941]

no hijab in herat

we are dont want hijab in afghanistan

we are want freedom and democracy

[tommyepaillebvf]

She will come to you tonight with special gift **rockmycity.info**

[trbnair]

A goat is having better value in Afghanistan than a women.. very said..

[beachbum2224]

My husband would kill all those men for doing that to those women.

FREEEDOMMMM!! 

[basak983]

@WithoutDeviation you forgotten how many of your preist are molesting children you son of a bastard

[MsIhatethiscrap]

PATHETIC HOW OBAMAS WIFE STANDS BESIDE HER AND YET DOES OR CONTRIBUTES NOTHING FOR THIS GROUP-she must be too busy with her vacation to Spain

[WithoutDeviation]

@WorshipYourLord you have the stupidest name i ever seen , fuck off