By Hadi Ghafari
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However, HRW claims that while women’s rights improved starting in 2001, conditions worsened in 2012 and are expected to further decline with the withdrawal of NATO troops.
The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) on Monday raised concerns at growing violence against women by irresponsible armed groups in central Daikundi province.
Mohammad Jawad Dadgar, AIHRC provincial head, said his office had recorded 126 cases of violence against women last year, compared with 60 in 2011. The cases include suicide, murder, divorce and beatings.
He told Pajhwok Afghan News 37 women attempted suicide, with six of them ending it all. Six cases of sexual harassment and 39 instances of beating were also reported the office.
Dadgar said: “Violence against women has sharply increased, compared with last year. This issue is of concern to us.” He linked the rise to injustice, poverty, drug addiction, lack of awareness and forced marriage.
Human rights violations rose to 17 from 12, mostly imposed by government officials and irresponsible armed groups, in the province. The gunmen played active role in the Sang Takht-i-Bandar, Khadir and Ashtarli districts.