In Afghanistan, a father married off his 6-year-old daughter to a 45-year-old man. This was reported by the Kabul Now publication.
According to the publication, the wedding ceremony took place in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Despite the prospective groom already having two wives, the child's father agreed to the arrangement. This event even caused an uproar among the “Taliban,” who intervened and stopped the marriage.
The wedding was scheduled for July 4. The “Taliban” arrested both the girl's father and the man who wanted to marry her. No charges were made against anyone, but according to local sources, the man was prohibited from marrying the girl until she reaches the age of nine.
Some residents and doctors in Helmand are expressing concerns about early marriages, warning that such practices can lead to serious psychological, social, and physical consequences, especially for girls.
They emphasize that early marriage not only poses a threat to the child's future but also negatively affects their mental health, natural development, and educational opportunities.
“Marrying at a young age can lead to psychological and physical difficulties and can evolve into a major social problem,” said Helmand resident Qismatullah Zwak.
Against the backdrop of worsening social and economic conditions in the country, child marriage is on the rise. According to the UN Women organization, after the “Taliban” came to power in 2021 and banned girls from attending school, early marriage in Afghanistan increased by 25 percent, and underage childbirth increased by 45 percent.
