This is Robert Cohen with the VOA Special English DevelopmentReport.

Reports from western Afghanistan say at least fifty young womenhave killed themselves in recent months. In each case, they setthemselves on fire.

Poverty, forced marriage, limitedrights to education, violence against women, a sense ofhopelessness. These are all given as reasons for an increase incases of self-immolation. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has sent adelegation to Herat province to investigate.

Medica Mondiale is a German-based organization that supportswomen and girls in crisis situations. The group has started toorganize projects in Kabul and Herat in an effort to improve thelives of women. It says many do not believe their lives haveimproved since the ouster of the Taleban more than two years ago.

The Islamic Taleban group ruled Afghanistan for five years. Womencould not work or study. They could not leave their homes unlessthey had a male with them. And they were forced to wear a clothburqa that covered all of their body.

American-led forces began a campaign in October oftwo-thousand-one to oust the Taleban and to attack al-Qaida bases inAfghanistan. This followed the September eleventh terrorist attacksby the al-Qaida group on the United States.

With the Taleban out of power, women regained their right to workand study. But Medica Mondiale says many still face oppression inparts of the country. Tribal leaders control these areas.

In January of this year, delegates at a traditional meetingcalled a Loya Jirga approved a new constitution for Afghanistan. Thedocument guarantees equal rights for women. It also guarantees astrong representation of women in the future parliament. Women'sAffairs Minister Habiba Sarabi says she plans to set up familycourts. She also plans to open centers to assist women around thecountry.

The governor of Herat, Ismail Khan, recently launched a mediacampaign to urge women to seek help. Husbands are also urged to showmore consideration toward their wives.

Human rights experts note that social changes can take manyyears, especially in conservative societies. They say a good placeto start is to teach females to understand their rights. But theysay even more important is that males must also understand thoserights.

This VOA Special English Development Report was written by JillMoss. This is Robert Cohen.