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Among hundreds of different kinds of problems that common afghan women face one most serious problem is the burning of women. Where over five thousand people have burning injuries recorded in hospitals a larger portion of them are women who suffer the most. According to the Minister of Health Muhammad Amin Fatimi different reasons including economic, social and illicit practices are responsible for such cases. Mr. Fatimi agrees that in certain cases due to some family honor or the cruelty inflicted upon women, the suffering woman have no choice but to burn themselves in an effort to commit suicide.
Different world agencies have reported that only this year over 5000 cases have been registered in different hospitals of Kabul. Various reasons have been quoted; from accidental fire burns to well planned burning crimes. However, most registered cases have quoted in misuse or mishandling of instruments that run on gas or coal or similar items. According to the Ministry of health, 4000 cases of burns have been registered in Kabul’s Istiqlal hospital with over one thousand of them women.
The ministry also blames the traders who import gases that are more vigorous to burning and only small mistakes can put the whole house on fire.
The most serious case is that of women trying to commit suicide for getting rid of the life and treatment given to them by their husband or other male family members. Afghan society being largely male dominant would not like its women to go out for jobs etc. Such an example is the killing of first female anchorperson of Tolo TV, Shaima, who would host Tolo’s hit music program HOP. Then came Lima Sahar, a participant in American Idol style Afghan Star (Sitar-e-Afghan), who was shot dead soon after she grabbed the fourth position in Afghan Star 3. Malalay Joya was formally suspended from Parliament because of her sharp and critical views against Jehadis and ex-communists. Over all, women still suffer very harshly under the new regime in different ways.
