Dangers Mounting for Afghan Women

(Kabul) -- Afghan women in public life have always struggled, but the involvement of the international community in Afghanistan over the past eight and a half years opened space for women that did not exist under Taliban rule. Current trends, though, are negative. Women’s participation in politics and public life generally is declining, and, alarmingly, violence against women who venture out of the private sphere is spiking across the country.

"The Afghan government and the international troops supporting it have failed to adequately protect women working in public office and as human rights defenders," said Zarifi. "The ability of Afghan women to be active outside their homes should be a key benchmark for the effectiveness of the Afghan government and NATO troops, and in this regard, the record is quite poor."

Dangers Mounting for Afghan Women | UN Dispatch