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For women, the dangers of war go far beyond the violence of combat. In situations of armed conflict, women suffer some of the greatest health and social inequities in the world. Those who are civilian casualties suffer tremendous hardships where they have limited access to proper medical care due to continued violence and a lack of security in their areas. Afghanistan's lack of social development is blamed for the way women are treated, with much of the horror attributed to tradition and religion. A young woman can be sold off to men 3 times their ages to pay off debts, sometimes they can be traded for sheep or even opium. In Taliban infested villages young females are often living without the right to a proper education. They also cope with a variety of atrocities from rape, domestic violence, to forced marriage. The worst case scenario is self-immolation, when women set themselves on fire in an act of utter desperation. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN-OCTOBER 17: Afghan women line up for monthly food rations on October 17,2004 Kabul, Afghanistan from the U.S. based international organization CARE. The women are widows who have no means taking care of their families. 9,500 women around Kabul are given wheat,beans, oil and salt. (photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)