Violence on women decreases by 40pc in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN, an official said on Thursday.

Women Affairs Director Fariba Majid told a press conference in Mazar-i-Sharif 120 incidents of violence against women were recorded during the year, showing a 40 percent decrease compared to previous year, when 200 incidents took place.

Most of the incidents were related to denial of livelihood and forced marriages, she said, linking the positive change to efforts of government and non-governmental organizations.

Fahima Rahimi, women traders association head, said although the violence against women was on the decrease, they could not take part in business activity due to unjust traditions.

Dozens of women from various parts of Mazar-i-Sharif participated in the gathering.

Ruqaya, who owns a handicrafts shop at the women shopping centre, said, “I have convinced my parents that we have the right to do business. I have been running this shop for the last six months.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Women Affairs Hussan Bano Ghazanfar condemned the ongoing violence against women in the country, stressing the need for women empowerment and equal rights.

In her statement read out at a gathering of women in central Maidan Wardak province, the minister said rights given to the women in Islam had a great value and should be respected by the men.

The gathering was attended by Governor Muhammad Halim Fidai, provincial council members and provincial officials.

International Women’s Day was also celebrated in southern Zabul province, where a meeting was held in this connection in Qalat city, the provincial capital.

“Women comprise more than half the world‘s population, but they have not been given the rights they deserve,” Deputy Governor Muhammad Jan Rasulyar said in his address.  

Acting Women Affairs Director Siddiqa Jalali said there has been a lot of improvement in conditions for women in Afghanistan regime, but still there were so many challenges ahead.

She asked the government to launch programmes at empowering women rights and create jobs for them.

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