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 UNAMA

In August 2011, Dar Jostejoi Haqayegh or CSA: Crime Scene Afghanistan travelled to Bamyan to document the trial of two women allegedly raped by a group of men. The women attacked were accused of adultery. The alleged attackers were not arrested in the case.

"Most of the women, almost all of the women who claim that a rape has taken place, end up being convicted of adultery," a Bamyan legal advisor told the RTA-UNAMA video producers.

The show broadcasted on 11 August, nearly three months after both women had been convicted of adultery and sentenced to one-year in prison. In the programme, the women alleged that the attackers were able to act above the law because of their wealth and powerful connections.

Even though it broadcast after the verdict was handed down, the programme had a positive effect in Bamyan where the victims and legal officials were able to speak directly to their neighbours about what had happened. As a result, community members spoke out against the distortion of justice in this and similar cases.

"The justice system and also the judges themselves, we have to wash their brain, especially to sensitize them on gender issues,” Bamyan Governor Habiba Sorabi said.

While there is no way to prove that CSA had a direct impact on their case, both women were released following the broadcast.

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 – including through the nationally broadcast CSA created weekly in partnership with Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA).

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