Afghan women demand their rights

Afghan women marched on Parliament yesterday to demand the repeal of the new law that severely restricts the freedom of women in Shiite communities.

Women took to the streets, and were quickly surrounded by a large mob of men from the nearby madrasa. Fortunately, there was a strong police presence, including several female officers, to protect the protesters, the NY Times reported.

The Afghan ambassador to the U.S. said the law, which permits marital rape and requires women to obey their husbands, will not go into effect. The Afghan constitution includes provisions requiring gender equality, which means the new law would not comply.

In response to international pressure, the Afghan government is currently reviewing the law. President Obama denounced the law as "abhorrent," and other heads of state and human rights organizations criticized the law for limiting women's rights.

We hope Ambassador Jawad is right and the law will not be implemented. But now is not the time to rest. The international community must demand the full, immediate repeal of the law. Otherwise, Shia women in Afghanistan will simply be second-class citizens.

Urge President Karzai to withdraw the draconian draft law that would restrict women from leaving their homes, working, going to school and obtaining medical care without their husbands' permission. The law also includes provisions that grants child custody only to men and revokes women's rights to refuse sex with their husband.

Educate your legislators about conditions for women in Afghanistan. Ask them what they are doing to ensure women's health and well-being abroad. You can learn more about Afghanistan and ways to take action globally at our website.

Questions? Contact us at campusteam@feminist.org. A world that is good for women is good for everyone.

Photo source: nytimes.com