Residents of northern Samangan province tell Zan Times that a 21-year-old woman was killed by her father on Friday night.
The woman’s name is Anisa and she was a resident of Sarikanda village in Khuram-o-Sarbagh district of Samangan province, according to a relative and a neighbour.
“Anisa was suffocated by her father with a blanket when she was sleeping in her bed last night,” a relative of the girl told Zan Times.
The relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, adds that Anisa’s death is a so-called honour killing; she was murdered because of her romantic relationship with her cousin. The relative said, “She and her cousin loved each other, but despite his repeated proposals, her family did not agree to the marriage.”
Jamila (not her real name), one of Anisa’s neighbours, also confirmed that Anisa was murdered by her father because of her relationship with her cousin.
Jamila also explained that Anisa’s body was completely bruised on the top half of her body and that scratches were visible on her hands.
Yet Anisa’s family insists that her death was a natural one. Also, her father has not been arrested.
Since taking over the country in August 2021, the Taliban have dismantled all systems of support for victims of domestic violence.
Even before the Taliban came to power, the Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan said that 97 percent of violence against women occurs in homes, where women are now confined.
