KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan's leading government organization for women has announced plans to abandon their struggle for women's equality in Afghanistan and said they merely hope to be treated with the same basic dignity given to animals.

Dr. Husn Banu Ghazanfar, Afghanistan's Minister of Women's Affairs since 2006, has announced that her ministry will formally disband next month and turn over all women's issues in the country to the Afghan chapter of the group the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"In a bow to reality, we have given up all hope of gender equality and merely wish to receive the same legal protection as a man's cow or goat," Dr. Ghazanfar said during a tearful press conference in Kabul. "At least livestock can work outside the house."

Her remarks were repeatedly interrupted by angry male hecklers, occasional gunfire, and at least one attempt to stone her to death.