World Association For Sexual Health calls on president Hamid Karzai to reverse decision on personal status law
New York, NY, August 24, 2009 − The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) expresses its profound concern at the recent legislation in Afghanistan that permits a husband to starve his wife if she refuses to have sex with him. This is a gross breach of human rights and treats women as chattels. For a husband to impose unwanted sexual activity on his wife is an act of rape.
All individuals have the right to refuse to engage in a sexual act, within or outside of marriage. To punish a human being who refuses sexual activity is a crime against humanity. To use starvation and have it sanctioned by the government is barbaric.
The autonomy of individuals and personal management of bodily integrity are fundamental rights. Legislation that is intended to restrict women’s freedom of choice regarding marriage and sexual activity within marriage is a serious breach of their rights. Legislation that sanctions violence and abuse within marriage is a gross failure on the part of the state to provide sufficient protection for almost half its population. In the case of the Shiite Personal Status Law the Afghanistan Government is sanctioning unacceptable abuse of women within a minority group.
The World Association for Sexual Health urges President Hamid Karzai to reverse his decision and to restore protection and justice to all Afghan women.
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) promotes sexual health throughout the lifespan and through the world by developing, promoting and supporting sexology and sexual rights for all. WAS accomplishes this by advocacy actions, networking, facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences and advancing scientifically based sexuality research, sexuality education and clinical sexology, with a trans-disciplinary approach.
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