Senior Afghan Policewoman killed in string of attacks on pominent women

An Afghan senior woman police officer was shot by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle outside police headquarters in Lashkar Gah in the Helmand province. Lieutenant Negar was shot in the neck and died in hospital the next day from her injuries. Lt. Negar who was recently interviewed by the New York Times, loved her job and felt it was important that more women join the police force. She served as a sub-inspector in the police criminal investigation department in Helmand. The province of Helmand has been plagued by Taliban insurgents.

Omar Zawak, the spokesman for the governor of Helmand described the assailants of Lt. Negar as “enemies of Afghanistan.” The BBC’s David Lyon also stated that “Afghan troops and police are increasingly bearing the load as British and American troops withdraw their forces.” Javid Faisal, the Kandahar government spokesman described Lt. Negar as the “most important woman in Helmand province.”

She is the 3^rd senior policewoman to be killed this year. Her predecessor, Islam Bibi was also killed in Helmand in July. In 2008, Lt-Col. Malalai Kakar, Afghanistan’s most prominent policewoman was gunned down in Kandahar. She was Kandahar’s head of department for crimes against women. 

There has been a string of attacks on Afghan women in positions of power and authority.  There was the prolific kidnapping of a female MP and the convoy of a female senator was ambushed resulting in the death of her 8 year old daughter. 

Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission says general violence against women has increased sharply over the last two years.