The Taliban in Afghanistan have been accused of formalising child marriage under new family legislation, which activists say makes divorce nearly impossible for girls and young women if their husbands disagree. The law, approved last week, appears to recognise child marriage for the first time in the group's legal framework.
While there are no official statistics, activists report that forced and underage marriages have surged since the Taliban banned girls from education beyond age 11. One informal estimate suggests that about 70% of girls have been pushed into early or forced marriage, with 66% of these involving girls under 18.
The new divorce law stipulates that a woman cannot divorce her husband solely on grounds of his absence or failure to provide financial support. It also appears to prevent a girl who claims she was married against her will from obtaining a divorce if her husband objects.
Protests have erupted in Kabul, with women's rights groups condemning the law as systemic violence. Fatima, an activist, stated: 'After issuing hundreds of anti-women decrees, the Taliban are now attempting to institutionalise child marriage within the formal legal structure.' The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed concern, calling it 'another step in the erosion of Afghan women and girls' rights'.
A Taliban spokesman dismissed the criticism, urging disregard for 'those who are hostile … who have problems with Islam'. Recent research from the Afghanistan Human Rights Center found that most child marriage victims report domestic violence and severe psychological distress. In one case, a 15-year-old girl in Daikundi province died after months of beatings by her husband, with local elders persuading her to stay.
