RASC News Agency: Reports from Nangarhar province reveal an incident in which a man fatally shot his widowed sister-in-law in the Behsud district for refusing his marriage proposal. The incident occurred in the Qala-e-Khayali area of Behsud, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The victim, a mother of two who had been widowed for four years, was killed on Friday, December 13, by her brother-in-law after rejecting his advances. Sources stated that the man, enraged by her refusal, resorted to violence, ultimately ending her life.
Local authorities in Nangarhar have confirmed the killing. Tayeb Hammad, the spokesperson for the Nangarhar Police Command, stated that the suspect was apprehended while attempting to flee the scene and is now under police custody for further investigation. In many parts of Afghanistan, deep-rooted cultural norms compel widows to marry their late husband’s brother or other male relatives. Women who defy these customs often face severe repercussions, including violence and, in extreme cases, death.
Since the Taliban’s resurgence, Afghanistan has witnessed a significant uptick in mysterious and violent killings targeting women, children, and youth. Experts cite various factors fueling this violence, including untreated mental health conditions, personal vendettas, forced marriages, domestic abuse, and the crushing economic hardships resulting from widespread poverty and unemployment. The reinstatement of Taliban rule has also led to the near-total collapse of women’s rights organizations in Afghanistan. Women now face immense barriers to reporting abuse, as access to judicial and legal mechanisms has been effectively dismantled. Without avenues for justice, acts of violence against women remain unchecked, fostering a climate of impunity and escalating brutality.
