Prof. Goodwin Quoted in Star Tribune on Recent Murder of Afghani Mother

Professor Michele Goodwin, an expert on health care law and international human rights, was quoted in the Star Tribune about the recent murder of a 22-year-old mother from Afghanistan. Goodwin noted that the punishment of women for failing to birth boys is not uncommon, nor are feticide and infanticide of girls unusual in communities that value males above females. She commented that in Afghanistan, as well as other parts of the world, girls are considered an economic burden. Parents do not see the value in educating girls. Such perceptions are reinforced by social traditions and stigmas, but the problem is cyclical as well, as uneducated girls are unlikely to achieve meaningful employment, and those without meaningful employment are unable to establish independence and care for themselves and others.