A growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has brought attention to the alarming increase in forced child marriages, with human rights experts estimating that up to 70% of girls may be married before reaching adulthood. This surge is linked to recent legal changes that severely limit women's rights, including a new law requiring spousal consent for divorce. Without this approval, women are trapped in abusive or unwanted unions, leaving them with little recourse or protection under the law. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas where poverty and lack of education contribute to early marriages as a means of economic survival.
Mursal Sayas, a journalist and founder of the NGO Women Beyond Borders, highlights the long-term social damage caused by these policies. She describes the new legislation as deeply unjust and a major setback for gender equality in the country. With limited access to legal aid and increasing societal pressure, many girls are being married off without their consent, often leading to physical and psychological harm. Advocates stress that addressing this issue requires urgent international attention and support for Afghan women’s rights organizations working on the ground.