Women’s Rights Law Blocked by Mullahs in Afghanistan

The Afghan Law on Elimination of Violence Against Women has been blocked by religious lawmakers in Afghanistan, claiming it violated Islamic principles. The law has been in effect since 2009 as a Presidential decree and it was being brought before the parliament, because the lawmaker and women’s rights activist Fawzia Kofi wanted a parliamentary vote to prevent its potential reversal. Unfortunately, it was entirely withdrawn by the conservative opposition. The law criminalizes domestic violence against women, child marriage and forced marriages. It also bans the traditional practice of selling and buying women to settle disputes. It specifies that rape victims…