Ahmad Qurishi
HERAT CITY: At least 30 women lost their lives by committing self-immolation in Farah province this year. The figure is double as compared to last year.
Lailuma Sediqi, head of women affairs department in the province told Pajhwok Afghan News during last two months 64 cases of women burnings, half of them were self immolation were registered in the department.
Jan. 30, 2008: 25 year old young woman sprayed petroleum on her body and set herself ablaze in Laghman High Court due to having domestic dispute with her husband. Photo: PAJHWOK/Abdul Moheed Hashimi
She said most cases were from Farah city.
She added 30 of these women lost their lives, while a year back 28 cases of burning including 18 self immolation were registered.
She said increase in number of cases could be social problems and lack of access to health services.
Siddiqui added Farah province is in the top of self- immolation in western zone.
She said lack of awareness of the rights, poverty, joblessness cause family violence which ends in self immolations.
One of the self immolation victims is Rana 22, resident of Farah city.
Gul Pari, one of Rana's relatives told Pajhwok Afghan News: "Rana had three children, and was refugee in Zahidan of Iran, but after returning to Farah their economic situation deteriorated, Rana was beaten by her husband and in-laws).
Gul pari said Rana finally burned herself and her three children are raised by her mother.
Karima Salik, provincial relations department head at Ministry of Women Affairs (MOWA) confirmed the increase in number of incidents and said this negative practice is forbidden in Islam.
She said self immolation mainly take place in returnees from Iran.
She said over 2000 cases of violence against women were registered in MOWA during last one year.
Dr. Suria Subhrang, women rights promotion and support officer at Afghanistan independent human rights commission (AIHRC) said over 1800 cases of violence against women were registered in 2007 while 1650 cases were registered in 2006 in AIHRC.