KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani said on Wednesday that violence against women was a serious problem in the country and that people need to remember women are also "first-class citizens – just like men".
Speaking at a ceremony in Kabul to mark 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women, which starts on Friday, Ghani said it was every person in the country's responsibility to stamp out such crimes.
He said: "Fighting violence against women is the duty of all people."
He also stated that such violence comes in many forms and it was not just about the beating of women, but that verbal abuse also forms part of this.
Ghani acknowledged that violence against women was a serious problem in Afghanistan but said that no country in the world was spared the phenomenon.
However, in Afghanistan, the violence was mostly due to the "misogynistic culture in the country", he said.
In turn, CEO Abdullah Abdullah also stated that it was the responsibility of all Afghans to root out the problem.
He said: "Every citizen in the country is responsible for preventing violence against women."
He went on to say national mobilization against the problem was needed.
Also addressing guests was Fatima, from Baghlan province, who had been a victim of violence in her marriage for many years.
She gave a heartfelt speech about what she had been subjected to at the hands of her ex-husband.
However, she eventually turned to the ministry of women's affairs for help, she said. This was a turning point in her life as she then moved to a shelter for women.
Once there she was able to pursue her education and is today a teacher at such a facility.
From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, is the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign and is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.   (Tolonews)