Since the beginning of the Afghan year, the Afghanistan Independent Human Right Commission (AIHRC) has registered 3,000 cases of violence against women most of which are sexual abuse and honor killing. Qadria Yazdan Parast, AIHRC Women Section Commissioner, says the level of violence against women is more than what is reported because of lack of awareness among women and their lack of access to their rights.

“Currently violence is inflicting in its worst form on the women and the graph of violence against women remains very high,” Yazdan Parast told Azadi Radio. Poor economic and security condition, lack of awareness, weak writ of the government and other social problems and unwanted traditions are deemed major reasons behind the worst situation Afghan women have to face.

In the districts where Taliban have more control and influence, people are punished by them in accordance with Shariah in illegal courts – a clear challenge to GIRoA. In addition to that, a big portion of Afghan population has resembling mentality as that of Taliban which has resulted in the sufferings of Afghan women to become manifold. But the violence against women is not limited only to areas where Taliban have influence and control like certain districts in the south of Afghanistan. Yazdan Parast says most of the cases of violence against women come from Northern provinces like Baghlan, Takhar, Parwan and Kunduz.

The suffering of women is not only confined to domestic violence but also the ongoing Taliban-led insurgency is causing more death of women and children than ever before. More women and children became victims of the 12-year-old conflict, which is the most concerning point in the UN report on civilian casualties released in July. Conflict-related violence killed 106 women and injured another 241, an increase of 61 percent over 2012. Similarly, 231 children were killed and 529 injured -- a 30 percent increase from last year. This is at times when the religion of Islam emphasizes that women and children should not be harmed during wars and Taliban claims to be strict followers of Islam.

With the imminent withdrawal of international forces, there is a risk that the government might sacrifice women's rights in order to secure a political deal with the Taliban and other armed opposition groups. In that case, not only the hard-earned achievements of women will be lost but also the condition would reverse.

The international community and the Afghan government must act to protect women rights at times when Afghanistan is going through crucial times. Meanwhile, the problem of violence against women cannot be addressed until the parliament approves the law on elimination of violence against women.