Taliban Allow Marriage for Girls From Puberty

The Taliban have adopted a new law that experts say effectively legalizes child marriage in Afghanistan by tying eligibility for marriage to the onset of puberty rather than a fixed minimum age, according to The Times.

Under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, puberty can begin as early as age nine. A provision also states that the silence of a “virgin girl” may be interpreted as consent to marriage.

Under Afghanistan’s previous legal framework, the minimum marriage age was 16 for girls and 18 for boys. Human rights organizations warn that the new rules significantly weaken protections for girls and could lead to an increase in forced marriages and sexual violence against minors.

The law also provides only limited possibilities for annulling marriages involving underage girls and, according to activists, fails to offer adequate protection in cases of domestic abuse or cruel treatment.

Critics describe the legislation as another major deterioration in the status of women in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The changes will also affect adult married women, who will no longer be able to seek divorce on the grounds of domestic violence.

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