Rukhshana, October 19, 2023

Woman allegedly hangs herself in Faryab province after forced marriage

Girls and women losing their freedom and human rights under Taliban rule since August 2021.

A newlywed woman from Faryab province has been found dead in the bathroom of her home after allegedly hanging herself.

The Taliban’s head of information and culture in Faryab Shamsuddin Mohammadi said the 21-year-old woman was found at about 12:30pm on Tuesday at home in the Arzlik area of Qaisar district.

Mr Mohammadi said the motive was family problems.

However, he added that her husband has been detained and is being investigated after complaints from the victim’s father.

Local residents, who spoke to Rukhshana Media on condition of anonymity, said the woman had only been married for 20 days and it was rumoured the marriage was forced on her.

It’s the second reported suicide of a woman in Faryab this week.

A teenager took her own life on Monday in the Garziwan district.

Taliban local police said in a newsletter that 18-year-old Amina drank acid and died after a family dispute.

There are no official records available on the number of suicides and unnatural deaths blamed on domestic disputes.

Anecdotally, the number has been increasing in proportion to girls and women losing their freedom and human rights under Taliban rule since August 2021.

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