West still failing to protect Afghan women

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,1284,1056708,00.html

Jonathan Steele
Monday October 6, 2003
The Guardian

Afghan women still face shocking patterns of rape, domestic violence, forced marriage and the routine denial of justice, with the international community failing to protect them in the two years since the Taliban regime ended, according to Amnesty International.

After talking to women in all parts of the country, Amnesty concludes in a report today that violence is widespread in most regions. There is "impunity on an enormous scale".

The collapse of the Taliban provided a new chance to break with age-old traditions of male abuse against which women were virtually defenceless. But the report says the government has "no clear strategy" to change attitudes and punish abusers. "It has failed to incorporate gender effectively into the national budget or the policy calculations of line ministries," Amnesty says.

The US, Britain and other foreign governments have also done little to promote better standards. "Key donors supporting the reform of the police and judiciary have failed to ensure their intervention will support the protection of women's rights. In certain instances, international intervention is perpetuating and condoning gender discrimination," it says. The post of "senior gender adviser" in the UN mission in Afghanistan has been vacant for most of this year.

more

[FireHeart]

1. Why should this surprise anyone?

We don't even protect our own, much less others. Outside of the forced marriage part, things are pretty much the same the world over.

Who cares? They are, after all, only women. :(

[Mari333]

2. Back in the 90s

I was protesting against the plight of the women in Islamic Jihad countries..no one listened..
suddenly, out of the blue, the Bush regime starts using this issue as a need to invade ME countries..
what total horseshite I said then, and I say now.
The PNAC regime could give a rats ass about these women, never cared, never will.....in fact, thats the LAST thing they care about. Thats part of their cover for the press...they CARE..
No they DONT care...never have. and the women in Afghanistan will continue to suffer, as do the women in SAUDI ARABIA, who sucks the BushCrimeFamily's Teat.

[True_Blue]

3. Look what's happening to the women in Iraq now

BAGHDAD -- The men in dishdash tunics in front of the Holy Shrine of Imam Khadum have a new mission: to turn away the women who, for decades, have come to this Shi'ite holy site to pray, wearing makeup and open headscarves that reveal wisps of hair and glimpses of neck.

"Women got used to coming here in improper, devilish garb," said Mahmoud Yousef, head of security at the shrine. "Finally we can put a stop to it."

Self-appointed morality squads have sprung up in Baghdad neighborhoods, ordering women to dress in the traditional abaya, the garment of choice in rural Shi'ite areas.

Some squad members have plastered banners at Baghdad University instructing female students to veil themselves.
more...
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2003/10/05/women_face_new_scrutiny_on_way_to_mosque/


 

[pansypoo53219]

5. when are they gonna figure out

THAT A WOMAN'S HAIR IS NOT A ERROGENOUS ZONE.

[stevedeshazer]

4. What a failure

Republicans can't even guarantee the safety of women in California.

[farmboxer]

6. What Did Pat Robertson Say About Women's Rights?!

"If women receive equal rights and equal pay, they'll turn into witches and lesbians!"