KABUL: The United Nations has declared that no girl, anywhere in the world, should be forced into marriage. In a statement issued on Saturday, the UN stressed that child marriage constitutes a clear violation of human rights, depriving girls of opportunities for growth and the ability to reach their full potential. According to UN data, every three seconds a girl somewhere in the world is forced into marriage. At the same time, reports indicate that forced and underage marriages continue in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban returned to power and restrictions on girls’ education intensified, more cases of early marriage have reportedly been recorded across various provinces. In some instances, families facing economic hardship have compelled their daughters into marriage in exchange for money, often referred to locally as “bride price.”
