Taliban ‘legitimising child marriage’ with new edict, activists warn
Summary
The Taliban in Afghanistan has passed a new law that appears to legally accept child marriage and makes it very hard for girls and women to get a divorce if their husbands do not agree. Activists and the UN say this law reduces women’s rights and puts girls at greater risk of early marriage and domestic violence.Key Facts
- The Taliban’s new divorce law suggests girls married against their will cannot get a divorce without their husband’s permission.
- The law also limits a woman’s ability to divorce her husband for reasons like absence or lack of financial support.
- There are no official numbers, but activists report a large increase in forced and underage marriages in Afghanistan.
- The ban on girls’ education after age 11 is linked to higher rates of early and forced marriage.
- About 70% of girls out of school are estimated to face early or forced marriage, with 66% of these girls under 18.
- Women’s rights groups and the UN say the law deepens discrimination and denies women justice and freedom.
- The Taliban government rejects criticism, calling it opposition to their religious system.
- Research shows many child marriage victims face domestic violence and severe mental harm.
- A recent case involved a 15-year-old girl dying from abuse shortly after being married.
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