Child marriage in Afghanistan has sparked fresh international concern after new Taliban regulations on marital separation triggered warnings from global child protection bodies. The issue of Child marriage in Afghanistan is once again under scrutiny as experts say the rules could put girls at greater risk.
UNICEF has raised serious alarm over the decree, saying it may open the door to harmful practices. The situation around Child marriage in Afghanistan has become more worrying after the agency pointed out that some provisions could be misused against children.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said on social media that any law allowing child marriage or treating a girl’s silence as consent is unacceptable. She stressed that such legal interpretations pose a direct threat to children’s safety and rights.
Human rights organisations and international monitoring groups have also reacted strongly. They warned that the new regulations could further weaken protections for women and girls. Many observers say the growing risk of Child marriage in Afghanistan reflects deeper concerns about the direction of family laws in the country.
The decree, part of wider rules on family matters and marital separation, has already faced criticism from the European Union and several rights groups. They argue that it may create legal gaps that could be exploited in cases involving minors.
UNICEF also said that such regulations could have long-term consequences for children, especially girls. It added that policies increasing the risk of Child marriage in Afghanistan are not aligned with international standards for child protection.
Rights groups continue to urge authorities to reconsider the regulations, warning that the current approach may deepen existing challenges for women and children in Afghanistan.
