Afghan Woman's choice: 12 years in prison or marry her rapist

Human rights charities are criticising progress being made in Afghanistan, after the plight of a 19 year old Afghan woman was highlighted. Gulnaz was raped by her cousins husband two years ago and fell pregnant. Instead of being protected by the law she actually got convicted of sex outside of marriage and sentenced to 12 years in prison. She now faces the choice of marrying her attacker or serving the 12 years in prison with her young child. It is believed that if Gulnaz doesn't marry her attacker then she will be murdered by her family or community on her release. So called honour killings are common for people accused of bring shame on their family and community - being raped is considered to bring shame on the family.

However, some have argued that Gulnaz's imprisonment is actually sign of progress and that in the past, Gulnaz was actually have been stoned to death without trial, so imprisonment is better.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/22/world/asia/afghanistan-rape/index.html?hpt=ias_t2