'Men and boys will have to change'

Equality for Women & Girls

The Elders: Religious values and teachings, along with traditional customs, have... been used throughout the centuries to justify and entrench inequality and discrimination against women and girls. These teachings have been abused by men to give them power over the female members of their families and women across their communities... This deep-rooted belief that women are worth less than men has infected every aspect of our societies...

This is not a fight which should be left to women and girls alone... It is up to all our leaders, particularly male political, religious and civil leaders, to challenge and change these practices and attitudes, however long-established... We also call on all men and boys to throw their weight behind the campaign for equality and challenge those who oppose women's rights... Men and boys will have to change their behavior and thinking... We now have to show the courage and determination to root out discrimination and change our world for the better.

Afghan women escape violence through suicide

The Canadian Press: More Afghan women are choosing suicide to escape the violence and brutality of their daily lives, says a human rights report prepared by Canada's Foreign Affairs Department. The 2008 annual assessment paints a grim picture in a country where violence against women and girls is common...

'Self-immolation is being used by increasing numbers of Afghan women to escape their dire circumstances and women constitute the majority of Afghan suicides,' said the report, completed in November 2009... 'Rape is widely believed to be a frequent occurrence, though its true extent is concealed by under-reporting owing to the social stigma attached to it.'... The Afghan practice of 'honour killings' has been cited as a major problem...

A British study... said 87 per cent of Afghan women [reported] they were the victims of violence, half of it sexual... 'The report added that 60 per cent of marriages are forced, and 57 per cent of marriages involve girls under the age of 16... There are few places victims can go to escape abuse.

Image source here.