"Where Girls Marry Rapists for Honor
Turkey is working with agencies to combat widespread abuse of women. Education and tougher laws are part of the reform effort.
By Amberin Zaman, Special to The Times
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey � Rojda was 13 when she was raped two years ago by a neighbor in this hardscrabble Kurdish province. In order to 'cleanse' her honor, she was forced to marry her attacker in an unofficial Islamic-style ceremony. He later was convicted of raping a 7-year-old boy and has been imprisoned. But Rojda's troubles were far from over, according to an account of her ordeal provided by her family and attorneys. She allegedly was raped again in March by her father-in-law, who she said demanded she prostitute herself to earn her keep. When Rojda refused, the relatives and attorneys charge, a group of men held her down and sliced off her nose."
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