Afghanistan's Latest Furor: Woman With Nose Cut Off

To call attention to the plight of women in Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission tweeted a gruesome picture Monday. The image shows 20-year-old Reza Gul just after her husband sliced off her nose; someone in the picture is holding what appears to be the nose in a plastic baggie in front of Gul's face. Be warned—the image is horrifying, but you can see it here. Gul was mutilated in a Taliban-controlled part of the country Monday, though it's not clear why; NBC News reports that slicing off one's nose is intended to mean that the victim has disgraced her family.

The picture has been circulating online and is sparking outrage, NBC reports, noting that Afghanistan is believed to have one of the highest domestic violence rates in the world—it's difficult to measure, because most incidents aren't reported. But recent attacks have prompted protests both online and in the streets. Gul's husband has not been apprehended; the AIHRC is calling for him to be punished. (More Afghanistan stories.)