Plight of Afghan women in focus

Members took to Kings Square on Wednesday to increase public awareness of human rights issues that face women living in Afghanistan everyday.

Amnesty International group organiser Sarah Gooderham said 150 events were being held nationwide in a bid to obtain 60,000 petition signatures.

‘Despite recent gains in women’s rights since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, there are still few places worse to be a woman,’ she said.

‘Most girls do not go to school for more than six years and there are double the amount of boys attending school then girls.

‘Armed groups have targeted girls’ schools, and violence against girls and women continues to be a major problem.’