The United Nations expressed grave concern over a new Taliban law on separation in marriage that includes provisions enabling child marriage in Afghanistan. Human rights monitors said the measure reverses modest gains made in girls’ education and protection since the Taliban returned to power.
UN agencies documented rising rates of forced unions and restrictions on women’s mobility under Taliban governance. Special rapporteurs urged member states to condition humanitarian aid on verifiable protections for minors and accountability for abuses.
Afghan civil society groups operating from exile said the law formalizes practices already enforced informally in several provinces. International recognition of the Taliban administration remains limited, complicating diplomatic leverage.
The law’s marriage-related provisions have drawn particular condemnation from women’s rights advocates and child protection organizations. UN officials warned that codifying child marriage within statutory language would deepen harm to Afghan girls already facing severe restrictions on schooling and public life.
The Taliban’s new law on separation in marriage includes provisions that UN officials said enable child marriage, triggering grave concern across humanitarian agencies. Rights monitors warned the statute could deepen systemic harm to Afghan girls already facing severe restrictions under Taliban rule.
UN human rights bodies said the Taliban marriage law could accelerate forced unions affecting Afghan girls in provinces where informal restrictions already limit schooling.
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Sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/world/