Taliban Says ‘Silence of Virgin Girl’ Can Be Treated as Consent for Marriage in Afghanistan: Report
The rules give fathers and grandfathers broad authority and let a young woman’s silence count as acceptance, drawing concern from rights groups.
- Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada approved a new legal framework governing marriage, divorce, and guardianship in Afghanistan, triggering concern among international observers over its impact on women and minors.
- According to Girls Not Brides, nearly one-third of Afghan girls are married before age 18, with rules reportedly handing broad authority over child marriages to fathers and grandfathers in households struggling with poverty.
- One controversial provision allows a young woman's silence to be interpreted as marriage consent. Rights teams warn the absence of clear, express consent leaves room for coercion and abuse.
- Studies suggest marriages involving underage women can only be challenged after puberty through approval of Taliban-run courts, limiting immediate legal recourse for minors.
- Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has imposed sweeping restrictions on women, and Critics argue the new family laws deepen concerns over shrinking rights and freedoms under the regime.
27 Articles
27 Articles
The de facto Taliban Government in Afghanistan has issued a new law authorizing child marriage and describing the circumstances in which such unions may be annulled after puberty, the Executive confirmed this Monday. According to the copy of the law provided by the Ministry of Justice, if “a relative other than the father or grandfather entered into the marriage contract of a minor child (...) with a compatible couple and with an appropriate dow…
According to a copy of the law provided by the Ministry of Justice, if “a relative other than the father or grandfather entered into the marriage contract of a minor child (...) with a compatible couple and with an adequate dowry”, the marriage “will be considered valid.” This condition of social compatibility, according to the law, refers to the “equality of the husband with the woman in terms of descent, family origin, religion, age and other …
Virgin girl's silence is consent: Taliban legalises child marriage in Afghanistan
The Taliban has published a new family law in Afghanistan covering marriage, divorce and child marriage. Rights advocates say the rules deepen concerns over consent and women's autonomy under Taliban rule.
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