Legalized Marital Rape?!

As reported by the Boston Globe

NEW FAMILY LAW signed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai puts the legal stamp of approval on the marital rape of Shi'ite women. The law, which requires women to accede to their husband's sexual demands and forces women to meet the subjective standard of "legitimate purpose" for leaving the house, is a huge setback for Afghanistan.

The law creates a separate legal standard for the Shi'ite minority, which has different family law than the Sunni population. Although the Afghan constitution explicitly creates gender equality, Karzai is eager to appease the Shi'ite minority before the country's August elections.

The international outcry, including President Obama calling the law "abhorrent," has prompted Karzai to agree to a review of the law. That is not enough. Western governments that support Afghanistan should use their influence to push for repeal. By signing away Shi'ite women's rights under political pressure from local fundamentalists, Karzai raises real questions on how dependable he is as an ally against Taliban-style extremists.

Ensuring a democratic state in Afghanistan requires both tackling security and improving the welfare of Afghan citizens. The United States has little to show for its billions in aid. Significant efforts have been made to construct schools for girls, and though there are those who destroy the schools, kill their teachers, and pour acid on students, women keep returning. In Kabul, more girls are enrolled in school than at any point in the last decade. Yet whatever progress has been made is fragile. Many of the women's rights eliminated by this law are already denied by practice in rural areas. At least before, the law was on their side.

The hundreds of female protesters who marched in Kabul last week have shown great courage. The Karzai government must not put a political price on their rights.

Is the involvement of the U.S. warranted, or should we stay out of Afghanistan's business and show respect for cultural "diversity?"

Discuss.