Afghanistan: 100 lashes for teen shows why climate of
violence against women must be tackled
Sunday morning, a 16 year old girl is sentenced to 100
lashes for having an “illicit relationship” with a young boy. The action is known as “flogging”. The act is set to have taken place publicly. It has been said that members of the Afghan Parliament
have started an investigation for the cruel and unlawful punishment of a
teenager. However, there are still other
crimes against women under investigation that have yet to be taken
seriously. They expressed that such a
punishment is cruel and forbidden under Afghan as well as international laws. The fact that this is a teenage girl only
makes the punishment worse. This type of
punishment is not unusual to be taken out on women; although it is unlawful. Amnesty International is trying to persuade
the Afghan government to enforce the law of Elimination of Violence against
Women enacted late 2009. This law criminalizes
the forced rape, marriage, and beatings against women. The Afghan government is also under heavy scrutiny
to reform their justice system increasing their accountability and oversight of
unlawful female punishments.
There should be no punishment for such an act as being in a
relationship; especially at such an age where it is expected. Women’s
rights are taken lightly where they are subject to such degrading and violent
punishments for simple acts that are later deemed as crimes. Laws that are in place to protect these women
should be taken seriously by their government in hopes to saving their lives.
Here is the link for original article: http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/afghanistan-100-lashes-for-teen-shows-why-climate-of-violence-against-women-must-be-tackled
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