Taliban's new marriage law legitimises child marriage in Afghanistan

A new marriage and divorce law introduced by the Taliban government in Afghanistan has sparked widespread concern, with human rights activists alleging that the legislation effectively legitimises child marriage and further restricts women's rights to divorce, according to a report by The Guardian .

While no official statistics exist on forced and underage marriages in Afghanistan, the trend has alarmingly increased in recent years, particularly after girls were banned from secondary and higher education.

According to human rights organisations, after the Taliban limited girls' access to education, approximately 70 per cent of girls have been married off at a young age or forced into marriage. In about 66 per cent of these cases, the girls were under 18 years old .

The new law reportedly makes it difficult for a woman to claim she was forced into marriage if her husband objects to the divorce. Additionally, a husband's absence or failure to provide financial support is no longer considered sufficient grounds for divorce .

The legislation has triggered protests in the capital, Kabul. Women's rights organisations have described the law as 'institutionalised violence' against women and children.

Human rights activist Fatima said the Taliban is now attempting to institutionalise child marriage within a formal legal framework, calling it a shameful step against women's freedom and security.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has also expressed concern over the law. UN official Georgette Gagnon said the new law will further restrict the rights of Afghan women and girls and institutionalise a discriminatory system.

A Taliban government spokesperson rejected the criticism, stating on state-run media that those opposed to Islam and the Islamic system need not be taken seriously.

Research by human rights organisations shows that most girls who are victims of child marriage in Afghanistan suffer from domestic violence and psychological abuse. The recent death of a 15-year-old girl in Daikundi province following abuse by her husband has further raised concerns.

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission official Abdul Ahad Farzam said the Taliban's new law limits women's right to free consent and further strengthens the patriarchal structure.