KABUL - The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign that runs from 25 November, International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, through 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

This year’s theme is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World” highlighting the key roles women play in the family and as peacemakers and peacekeepers in war zones. In Afghanistan, support for women’s issues is one of the five priorities of the United Nations agencies and programmes.

Today’s story is authored by UN WOMEN.

Belquis, now 14, had been raped by a labourer who regularly visited her village in the Central Highlands Region. Afraid, she did not tell her family what had happened. Five months later, her mother realized the girl was pregnant and sliced her belly with a knife. The attempted “honour” killing was meant to get ride of what was seen as shame for the family.

Honour killings are illegal under the Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) law. Enacted by the Government of Afghanistan in 2009, the EVAW law fights against customs, traditions and practices that are contrary to the religion of Islam and cause violence against women.

Former UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Rashida Manjoo, called honour killings “a magic word that cloaks the most heinous of crimes.”

In Belquis’s case, when the wound became bloody and infected, her father took the girl to the hospital. He also involved the police to arrest and charge the man with rape.

Belquis left the hospital and moved into a shelter supported by the entity UN WOMEN, where she learned to read and write. Her supervisors say she is a “good participant” in all activities and eager to continue her education.

To combat honour killings and other illegal practices, the United Nations is working with the Government and its partners to give force to the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) and raise awareness about its importance.

Educated women and healthy families are the foundation of a peaceful and progressive Afghanistan.