Around 100 Afghan women marched in Kabul yesterday to speak out against violence against women as part of One Billion Rising, a global movement to end violence against women and girls.
Calling for “no more violence” and “justice, justice,” Afghan women also demanded continued gains for women’s equality in the country. “As half of the Afghan population of young adults, Afghan women must have an active role in important historic developments, in the peaceful transfer of political power, for ensuring peace and security and progress in Afghanistan,” said the Afghan Women’s Network in a statement.
The Network also called for “sustained public campaigning” for women’s rights and advancement in Afghanistan. Afghan women leaders have already been organizing to stop the enactment of an article within the Afghan Criminal Procedure Code that would prevent relatives from testifying as witnesses in all criminal trials, including in domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault cases.
Afghan women leaders also expressed solidarity with women internationally in the worldwide fight to end violence against women. “Afghan women, in support of women around the world, say that violence against women must decrease,” said Dr. Gulalai Safi, a member of the Afghan Parliament. “We want justice and respect for women.”
