Afghanistan Is the Most Dangerous Place in the World For Women

Coverage of Afghanistan in the US media rises, falls and occasionally just disappears. But it's been in the news a lot recently mainly because the public's support for the war is at an all time low. Just this morning key US generals in the country stated that if more troops aren't poured into Afghanistan, the US may have to admit "mission failure."

But what about the women? After all it was in their name that this war was waged for eight years ago, right? Remember? Well, now even women's groups are at each other's throats over whether or not the US should pack up its bags and leave Afghanistan, forget about the war, forget about the women and call it a day. The argument is that the US presence isn't making a difference for Afghan women's rights, so why stick around?

This is a very dangerous position to take on the war. 70% of Afghan women suffer from domestic violence, making it the most dangerous place in the world to be a woman according to UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women). Recently President Hamid Karzai not only rigged the elections, but signed the Shiite Family Law, which basically makes it legal for a husband to starve his wife if she refuses to satisfy his sexual needs.

There is no question the US mission there is "misguided", to be diplomatic, but what is the alternative? What will happen to not only Afghan women, but the women of the region if the US leaves?

Watch this video and see if you can come up with some answers. Failing Afghan women means failing all women. Don't doubt that even for a second. Join the Feminist Majority Foundation's Campaign for Afghan Women and Girls today.