By Shahpor Arab (translated by RAWA)
Pul-e-Alam: An 18-year-old married woman hanged herself to death last night in Baraki Barak district of Logar province.
RAWA Video Clip of self-immolations in Afghanistan
Qudartula Azizi, security director in Logar province, told Pajhwok Afghan on July 28 that the woman's name was Sohaila. He added that Sohaila was resident of Aabe Joshi area of Logar province. A year and a half ago, she was married to Ismatula, resident of Amadak village in Baraki Barak district. According to Azizi, Sohaila hanged herself around 10:00pm last night. He said domestic violence was the main reason behind her suicide adding that her body was sent to Kabul for autopsy.
Azizi said investigations had been initiated but nobody was arrested so far. Meantime, 30-year-old Nasirula, a neighbor of Ismatullah's family in Ahmadak village, has alleged that Sohaila did not commit suicide but was killed by her husband. He told Pajhwok that Ismatulah had an affair with another girl and wanted to marry her and he killed his wife since his paramour wanted him to do so.
Najiba Sayed, director Women Affairs Branch in Logar, was not aware of the incident but said that lately there had been 80 percent increase in domestic violence cases in Logar province. She criticized local and international human rights organizations for restricting their activities to their offices and holding of workshops and seminars in Kabul while ignoring the provinces regarding women rights.
Najiba says that Sohaila is the forth woman in the last four months who has committed suicide or has been killed by their husbands. It is worth mentioning that last year too, 28 women had committed suicide in this province.