PAN, February 12, 2009

16 self-immolation cases among Afghan women registered in Badghis

Aqila, 18, resident of Aab-i-Kamari district who committed self-immolation said she did it due to mistreatment of her husband and in-laws.

Abdul Latif Ayobi

QALA-I-NAW: 16 cases of self-immolation have been registered in Badghis province while the total numbers of cases of violence against women were 33 during last 11 months.

( http://www.rawa.org/self_immolation/index.htm )
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

Halima Rahpima, director of Women Affairs department told Pajhwok Afghan News that the self-immolation cases did not cost life, however it had caused disabilities.

She said a year back 33 cases were registered with the department and there were 15 cases of self-immolation.

Rahpima said the violence included beating, fleeing home, conflict between bride and mother in law and other family disputes.

She said the level of the violence has not increased compared with previous years, but warned that it could surge if awareness programs were not launched.

Aqila, 18, resident of Aab-i-Kamari district who committed self-immolation said she did it due to mistreatment of her husband and in-laws.

Aqila mother of three children who married three years back said: "I was not happy with marriage, my father married me to a 40 year old man on 0.4 million afghanis, my husband was beating me up and my mother in law was insulting me without any reason"

She said finally she had to commit self-immolation to end her life, but her life was not ended.

Rahpima said the problem of Aqila and her husband was resolved by a commission of the women affairs department and now both live at their home.

She added eight cases have been resolved through the commission of women affairs department in last 11 months.

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