The United Nations is calling upon the Afghan government to do more to protect women from violence.

Landmark 2009 legislation made child marriage, forced marriage, forced self-immolation and other violent acts including rape a criminal offence.

But the U.N. says Afghanistan has a long way to go in implementing it.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGETTE GAGNON, UNAMA'S DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT, SAYING:

"We are calling on the Afghan authorities to take, of course, much greater steps to both facilitate reporting of incidents of violence against women and actually open investigations and take on persecutions."

Afghan women have won back basic rights since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

But they are increasingly concerned for their future as the 2014 deadline looms NATO troops to leave.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) RAHIMA JAN, HOUSEWIFE AND RESIDENT OF KABUL, SAYING:

"Violence against women is increasing. There are bad situations in the provinces. Women burn themselves and it has to be prevented. If the situation remains like this for women, I believe that after 2014 it will get even worse."

Some rights groups say abuse against women is on the rise because Karzai's government is losing interest as it tries to advance the reconciliation process with the Taliban.