Hundreds protest violence against women

KABUL, on Thursday asked the government to take immediate steps to stem growing incidents of violence against women and girls in the country.

Organised by the Afghan Women’s Network (AWN), the protest march that involved youth representatives, as well as women rights and civil society activists, appealed to judicial organs to implement the law on women’s rights volitions by bringing the culprits to justice.

The rally emerged from Darul Aman area and culminated in front of parliament. Participants, changing slogans, demanded women be given the right to education, vote and representation in the decision-making process.

They also issued a resolution, urging families to send their daughters to school and avoid marrying them off in return for money. Daughters should be treated in line with their Islamic rights, the resolution stated.

AWN member Muniza Wifaq said the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission had recorded a 20 percent increase in incidents of violence against women in 2012. She said similar protests were also staged in Herat, Balkh, Kunduz and other provinces.

ma/mud

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