Herat woman stresses efforts to end domestic violence

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): A woman who has resolved dozens of family tiffs in western Herat province says now that the war has ended in the country steps must be taken to reduce domestic violence and social strife.

Amina Arab, originally hailing from Guzra district, has set up an association of the disabled in Ishaq Suleman village of Injil district. She has resolved a string of family disputes besides providing assistance to this association.

The 27-year-old says she has been working to resolve family issues for several years, making peace between dozens of couples.

She adds: “Many women have been disabled by the conflict. They were abused within their families. I tried to talk to their families in an attempt to sort out their problems and help them enjoy a life free of violence.”

Over the past seven years, she has addressed more than 200 family cases, most of them related to eople with disabilities.

She claims having resolved at least 80 percent of the cases herself. She has referred the remaining 20 percent to human rights watchdogs through the association.

In a number of families, given their low level of awareness about women’s rights, there are differences. Many women were victims of domestic violence, she explained.

Amina said: “Peace doesn’t mean an end to war and silencing of guns. Reconciliation between families and spouses can also be described as peace.”

Having mediated complicated divorce cases that had caused families to fall apart, she is happy to have prevented relationships going on the rocks.

Cases resolved by Amina

For instance, she said: “In Ishaq Suleiman village, a disabled girl married her cousin. But another woman entered her husband’s life and shattered the disabled girl’s dreams.

“But we tried to convince the girl’s husband that not to marry the woman because he could not ensure the rights of both wives due his financial woes.””

Those whose lives have now been free of violence because of Amina consider her an ambassador of peace.

Zulekha (not a real name), a resident of Injil district, said she had serious differences with her husband. As a result, she had problems.

With each passing day, her husband’s behaviour became worse and she reached a point where she wanted to commit suicide.

But after approaching Amina’s office, she said, differences between her and her husband were resolved.

Zulekha praised Amina as an ambassador of peace. She remarked: "Absent her efforts, I would not be alive today or I would be living in misery in my father's house. I view her as my hero and an ambassador of peace. I call her an Arab lady."

Wakeel Ahmad, a 26-year-old civil society activist, also commended the role of Amina: "She has brought about peace and reconciliation in families of the disabled."

sa/mud