Report: Afghanistan Women = Currency

Despite some significant civil rights improvements, women in Afghanistan are still a form of currency under tribal law, and are commonly used to settle bad debts and, at least until recently, shield their families from the consequences of crimes committed by men.

Two of five Afghan marriages are forced, the country's Ministry of Women's Affairs reports. And, while tribal leaders recently agreed to end the practice of atoning for violent crimes, such as murder, by handing over a young woman in marriage, women are still used as currency to settle bad debts, according to the Associated Press.

"It's really sad to do this in this day and age, exchange women," Manizha Naderi, director of Women for Afghan Women tells AP. "They're treated as commodities."