Local officials said insecurity is one of the main hurdles in the way of curbing violence against women in the western province of Ghor, where authorities report stoning and “kangaroo court” trials against women.

Figures by the women’s affairs directorate in Ghor show that 113 cases of violence against women were registered in the province so far this year.

The head of the directorate, Halima Parastish, said they are monitoring a few areas, including Feroz Koh – the center of the province – as well as Dawlatyar and Lal Wa Sar Jangal districts.

“We will be able to have more control if the situation improves and if Ghor becomes secure. In this case, we will have control over more areas of Ghor and in its districts where we will have awareness programs and we will ask other institutions--including cultural and legal organizations--to cooperate with us in this respect,” said Parastish.

Women’s rights activists said many cases of violence against women remain hidden.

“The security is worse. There is no security in remote areas. There, violence against women has reached its highest level. In these areas, women commit suicide, self-immolation, they are punished in kangaroo courts and they are faced with dozens of other problems,” women’s rights activist Rahila Rahmanzada said.

“Rights organizations cannot operate there due to insecurity where women are often stoned and subjected to kangaroo courts,” another activist Khatira Ghori said. “We call on the government to clear the areas of the Taliban.”