Law to Protect Afghan Women Faces Backlash

In Afghanistan, a proposed law to protect the women and girls in that country has created a backlash this past week.  The law is designed to protect women and girls from the horrors of child marriage, bride barter and spousal abuse.  This backlash is occurring due to the generational and religious beliefs of the country, despite the past ten years having the support of a Western-backed democracy and a constitution that is designed to uphold women's rights. The new law was brought before the parliment last week by a female legislator, Fawzia Koofi, who believes that now more than ever Afghan women need a permanent law protecting them.  A group of conservative male members of parliment objected based on the fact that is was contrary to Islam and Afghan culture. While women and girls have made substantial strides in the areas of jobs and education, their positions within their family life has remained weak and subservient.  In fact, according to Afghan and international rights groups, violence in Afghanistan has steadily increased in recent years.  Last year, a 14-year-old girl was taken and beheaded by two men after she refused a proposal of marriage by one of the men. Koofi has found supporters in more liberal male members of parliment.  One man stated, "as a man, an Afghan and a member of parliment, I say we must stand together and fight against traditional customs that do not conform with Islam."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/law-to-protect-afghan-women-faces-backlash/2013/05/25/3b47d1ea-c49f-11e2-9642-a56177f1cdf7_story.html