In Afghanistan, violence against women has hit a record high. Afghanistan’s Human Rights Commission says attacks against women increased in both frequency and brutality in 2013. The head of the commission, Sima Samar, and Suraya Pakzad, a top advocate for women’s rights, discussed the violence.

Sima Samar: “I think the problem is the brutality of the violence against women was really shocking this year, including the cutting of the nose and lips of women, including mass rape in public space, which is shocking in our culture.”

Suraya Pakzad: “Government is not that much strong here in the whole country, and law is not enforced. Still gaps are everywhere, and everybody can do anything. And assassination of women, recently you are hearing from Afghanistan that it is an easy thing for anyone, if they would like to do that. There is no punishment.”

The report comes as Afghanistan is preparing for the departure of foreign aid as well as foreign troops at the end of this year. It is unclear how many U.S. troops — and how much U.S. aid — will remain in Afghanistan amid tensions over a long-term troop deal. The promotion of women’s rights was touted as a key pretext for the U.S.-led occupation. But in a further sign such rights have deteriorated, doctors are reporting a rise in self-immolations by women. According to Reuters, the burn unit of one hospital admitted a record number of women who tried to set themselves on fire in 2012. The plight of children in Afghanistan has also worsened. U.N. data shows cases of severe malnutrition among children have risen by at least 50 percent over 2012 levels.