Editor’s note: Reza Gul was expected to be taken to Turkey for reconstructive surgery after her husband attacked her with a knife on January 19, 2016 in the remote northern province of Faryab, which borders Turkmenistan.
Once again, in our land of horror, a young Afghan woman was beaten many times by her husband until she finally lost her nose when he attacked her with a knife.
Reza Gul is like an innocent bird, married for six years and now, at twenty, she is a mother in the Shar Shar village in the Ghormach district of Faryab province. Her husband attacked her and sliced off her nose. She was taken to hospital, while he fled to a nearby Taliban-dominated village.
Reza Gul endured violence so many times. At an age when another girl would still be studying at school, she suffered terrible abuse while raising a child without the help of a husband.
There are many female victims of violence in a similar situation in my country. The Human Rights Commission reported that violence against women in Afghanistan increased seven percent in a six-month period from late March to September 2015 compared with the same months a year earlier. Human Rights Commissioner Qadria Haq Parast said that in that period 2,579 cases of violence against women were documented. This included 190 murdered women.
Why are so many women facing violence in their homes? Why does the violence increase day by day despite all of the organizations and a women’s ministry who work against violence? Does the government pay attention? Is it a lack of security? Are the organizations not doing the work they should? These are questions for the authorities to answer.
I ask all men who commit these acts against women: Would you be able to tolerate the same pain you inflict on your wife or daughter? Can you live without your nose, ear, lips, or fingers? How dare you commit this violence against women? Do you think they are not humans? Even animals do not hurt their co-gender.
If you love your wife and daughter, you will feel the real happiness of life. If you respect them, they will worship you. Being a human being is not so difficult. You lose nothing by acting humane.
My innocent sister Reza Gul, you are not alone. I feel your pain with my body and soul. I wish I could have saved you from your husband but I promise to support your power if you raise your voice. Do not be quiet. Fight for your rights. We are with you. You deserve all the beautiful things in the world. I love you, my innocent bird!
By Afsana
Photo by Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission
Dear Asana — Thank you for giving us more detail about this horrific attack on Reza Gul and for including the discouraging facts about the rise in violence against women in Afghanistan. I applaud your call to violent men to imagine what it would feel like to have such pain inflicted upon them and to be humane. Those kind of strong demands must continue to be made — even in the face of more violence. Empathy is needed at every level of society. I am thankful that Reza Gul survived this attack and that her story has come to our attention while hundreds of others, I know, have not. She is a symbol for all the women who suffer in silence. I hope that she will understand that you and women like you are in solidarity with her and support her rights. May all of you have more beauty in your lives. All best wishes, Nancy
Dear Nancy,
Thank you so much from your nice comment. It give me power to write more about women problems in my country and encourage me to be one of the young lady who fight against this violence.
Afsana jan,
I am very happy that you write this article. We Afghan women need to stand each other in any possible way. I know we all suffer in someways and I know if all of us start caring about our situation then soon we will have a better life. I hope Reeza Gul recover soon and start a better life.
— Raha
Raha jan,
Thanks alot dear for your comment. I’m completely agree with you. If we support each other and Stand next to each other هد every issue, so probably we will have a good future.
Dear Afsana,
You write with courage and eloquence. All of these women, sadly, have become symbols. I hope that the world hears them and takes action.
Liz
Dear Elizabeth Titus,
Thank you so much. I wish that your hope come true!
My Dear,
Thank you for sharing this story and let the world hear her voice. I am in tear reading this horrible attach by your own husband, a man you suppose to love her, Protect her and cherish her. Again the devil is always close to us then we can imagine. I hope Reeza Gul get a speed recovery and run away from that man as fast as she can. That husband or any Man who abuse their love ones would one day face their action. I would keep you in my prayers.
Lili.
Dear Lili,
Thank you so much for reading this Article and your nice comment.
Dear Afsana,
Such a brave and beautiful piece–it was such a pleasure to work with you on it. It is a truly moving and powerful statement on the solidarity between women and the horrific abuse suffered by so many women. Keep writing–I can’t wait to read more. Congratulations on this incredible piece of writing.
Warmest wishes,
Keya
Dear Afsana, Your story has touched many people. You are very brave to write it. When will the world learn kindness and love? My heart is with the women of Afghanistan. –Pat
Its is very sad to hear this kind of stories,why we humans(mens)forgot our humanity.Every women is mother or sister of someone,respect them so that your own mother and sister get respect and love.