Iran: Victim of child marriage, victim of violence against women

Iran: Victim of child marriage, victim of violence against women

Sakineh Ozbak, 15, was forcibly married to an old man when she was 14.

With a typical outbreak of quarrels in such marriages two weeks ago,

the husband beat up the 15-year-old girl and threw her down the third floor's balcony.

She has undergone surgery for a broken pelvis, broken jaw and a torn-up ear, so far.

The hospital’s cost is 7 million toumans which her father does not afford.

She has been abandoned in Shariati Hospital with no interventions by the police or any government agency.

Child marriages are sanctioned by law in Iran and violence against women is not considered a crime.  

Iran: Criminal attacking woman with acid, is released on bail

SimaAfshar, 25, became victim of an acid attack in the Central Park of Dehdasht, in Kohgiluyeh (western Iran) on September 21, 2015.

Due to severity of injuries, she was taken to the special burns hospital in Ahwaz, but shortage of facilities and lack of proper care compelled Sima's brother to take her to Tehran for better treatment and surgery.

The woman who had splashed acid on Sima was released on bail, shortly afterwards, a measure that has outraged Sima's family. Her sister said in protest, "If law does not deal with this incident, such behavior will become institutionalized and the message to people is this: nothing can be done to counter acid attacks."

It should be noted that none of the criminals who previously carried out acid attacks on women have been arrested and punished so far. This time, the attacker is released, despite being identified and arrested. Apparently, the law enforcement authorities in Iran have not received instructions to punish these dangerous criminals who carry out one of the worst forms of violence against women.