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| Afghan women seek death by fire | Afghan women seek death by fire |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Increasing numbers of Afghan women are committing suicide by setting fire to themselves to escape difficult lives, according to NGOs based in the country. | Increasing numbers of Afghan women are committing suicide by setting fire to themselves to escape difficult lives, according to NGOs based in the country. |
| They say women forced into marriage or suffering chronic abuse are killing themselves out of desperation. | They say women forced into marriage or suffering chronic abuse are killing themselves out of desperation. |
| Although estimates are difficult to make, one group says cases of self-immolation in the capital have doubled since last year. | |
| Cases are said to be reported every day in the western city of Herat. | Cases are said to be reported every day in the western city of Herat. |
| In Kabul, some 36 cases of self-immolation have been recorded this year. | In Kabul, some 36 cases of self-immolation have been recorded this year. |
| 'Act of frustration' | 'Act of frustration' |
| "These are young girls at their most productive ages," Ancil Adrian-Paul, a spokeswoman for NGO Medica Mondiale, told the BBC. | |
| "These young girls are killing themselves from frustration and because they feel that there is no way out of them." | "These young girls are killing themselves from frustration and because they feel that there is no way out of them." |
| She said the choice of self-immolation may be influenced by the fact that many of the women sought shelter in Iran, where the practise is more common. | She said the choice of self-immolation may be influenced by the fact that many of the women sought shelter in Iran, where the practise is more common. |
| Campaigners say illiteracy and an incompetent justice system contribute to women deciding to take their own lives, because they can see no way out of their problems. | |
| Women and girls are also often given away to settle conflicts in the country. | Women and girls are also often given away to settle conflicts in the country. |
| A recent Human Rights Watch report said many gains made by women since the fall of the Taleban have since been reversed. | A recent Human Rights Watch report said many gains made by women since the fall of the Taleban have since been reversed. |