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.

At the age of nine, Maliha was promised to marry a 90-year-old man in Ghazni. Maliha’s father had had sexual relations with the man’s sister and Maliha was promised as baad.

Under baad, girls are given away by communities or relatives to settle crimes such as murder, rape, adultery or instances where women have run away. In theory, the honour of the family is restored by creating a common interest and “mixing blood.” In reality the family that receives the girls often punishes her for the crime and she can face a lifetime of violence and abuse.

Baad is 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. The Human Rights Unit at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released this week the adeptly titled, A Long Way to Go: Implementation of the Elimination of Violence Against Women Law in Afghanistan. The report is available online. (LINK)

In the case of Maliha, the man died before the wedding could take place. Instead to setting her free, Maliha’s father tried to marry her off to the man’s 60-year-old brother, already married with children. Beaten when she refused, Maliha ran away disguised as a man. She took refuge at a shelter, where she spent the next three years learning to read, write and think. She is now an assistant to a police officer and married with a son.

To combat baad 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.