By FISNIK ABRASHI, Associated Press
Violence against women in Afghanistan is widespread and mainly happens inside victims' homes, according to a U.N. survey released Monday.

The survey, conducted between January 2003 and July 2005, paints a bleak picture for women who undergo physical, sexual and psychological violence in this conservative, Islamic country, which has long been wracked by violence and where women enjoy considerably fewer rights than men.

The survey warned that domestic violence against women is "hugely underreported" because of the stigma attached to it.

"Acts of violence (against women) are happening with impunity," said the report, conducted by the U.N. Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM. "It appears that the government, communities and families are not doing enough to prevent violence against women."

Under the hard-line Taliban regime, which was toppled in late 2001, women were unable to vote, receive education or be employed. In recent years, some gains for Afghan women have been made, including the right to cast ballots and have female candidates run for parliament, but women are often still regarded as second-class citizens.

Domestic violence, which accounts for 82 percent of the cases, is the most prevalent form of violence against women reported, according to the survey. Partners are responsible for nearly half the cases, said Meryem Aslan, the country director for UNIFEM.

"The shame associated with reporting most forms of domestic violence, such as rape and other forms of sexual abuse, may contribute to the fact that women often suffer in silence," said the report, which was based on more than 1,300 cases of violence against women.

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