It is hard to be an Afghan woman as Afghanistan is one of the worst places in world to be a woman. At the same time, standing to defend women's rights is even harder. It needs great daring for women to remain socially and politically active, run for elections or fulfill duties at public organizations. Social and security menace remains at large and forms serious obstacles for women engaged in politics, media and government or non-government organization. Life of a woman is under serious threats whether she is at home, office or travelling on a street.
Just a week ago a woman named Najiba was publically executed in central Parwan province which is only a few kilometers away from capital Kabul. The incident was followed by serious reactions from European Union, United Nations and other human and women rights organizations. Nonetheless, incidents of brutality continue to take place.
On Friday July 13, 2012, Hanifa Safi who worked as provincial director for Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA) in Laghman province was killed in a bomb attack. The bomb which was attached to Hanifa's car also injured 11 people including her husband. The United Nations condemned the attack.
"The deliberate killing of a brave woman and a public servant, dedicated to improving the situation of Afghan women and working for the safety and security of her country, is an outrage," said Jan Kubis, UN special representative to Afghanistan.
There is a need for practical measure to safeguard women intellectuals as future development of Afghanistan would not be possible without their participation. Such attacks have deep negative impacts on women engaged in various sectors. Afghan women do not feel safe.
Regular attacks by insurgents that take lives of women establish the fact that the Afghan government has failed to secure their lives. The brutal killing of Hanifa is another blow to the women rights in Afghanistan.
As the withdrawal process of NATO forces goes on towards completion, such killings are expected to intensify.
This puts the ten year gains of Afghan women in various fields at the risk of being lost. Also, there are concerns that in attempt to enter a peace with Taliban, the Afghan government would compromise on the little freedom women are enjoying today in this country. If that happens, it would prove to be catastrophic for Afghan women and the whole nation.