Two educated girls, aged 11 and 13, were allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted on Monday morning while walking to school in the Downstream area of Herat city, according to local sources.
Kabul24: The girls were found later that day in Pashtunpol and were transferred to the provincial hospital. The source, who cited the girls’ family, reported that the girls were sexually assaulted, but it is unclear whether they know each other or not.
The girls were hospitalized for several hours but were released and transferred to their homes the same night. Their condition is said to be “relatively good,” but further examinations will be carried out at the Herat maternity hospital.
Officials Yet to Comment on the Incident
Local officials in Herat have not yet commented on the matter. Unfortunately, instances of sexual assault on girls are not rare in the city. Just two months ago, there were reports of a five-year-old girl being sexually assaulted by a mosque mullah in Herat city’s Madai area.
Forensic medicine later confirmed the rape of the child while preserving their identity. However, no further information about the incident has been made public yet.
Fear for the Safety of Young Girls
Acts of sexual violence against girls, especially those on their way to and from school, create fear among parents who are already concerned about the safety of their children.
Such incidents can significantly damage parents’ confidence in the safety of their daughters in a city that has become infamous for such occurrences.
It is essential that authorities address this issue and take steps to ensure the safety of young girls in the city.
