363 cases of violence against women recorded in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): At least 363 cases of violence against women were registered last year in southern Helmand, says the Department of Women Affairs.

Director of Women’s Affairs Wajiha Muqadas Rassouli, in an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, said that 14 of the cases pertained to killings.

She said six cases of sexual abuse, six suicide attempts, 10 engagement cancelation and several others were recorded by her department.

She said: “Most of the incidences have taken place in remote districts where most of the people mistreat women.”

Rassouli linked violence against women to a variety of factors, mainly unemployment, illiteracy and bad traditions in Afghan society.

The official acknowledged said the level of violence against women had surged in the province. Most of the women were unable to register their cases with the department due to primitive traditions, she explained.

She added they had been trying to promote public awareness so that women could register cases of violence against them.

Pajhwok tried to get comment from affected women in the province, but no one was ready for interviews on their plight.

Meanwhile, tribal elder Haji Abdul Qodus Massoud told Pajhwok violence against women was rampant in many parts of the province.

Many women were deprived of their rights, the elder confirmed. “People here are illiterate, so they don’t give women their rights and resort to violence.”

sa/mud

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