Forced Marriages Up 25%, early Marriages 45% since schools closed in Afghanistan: US Embassy

The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan has expressed concern over the increasing number of forced and child marriages of Afghan girls, calling for their protection.

In a video message on Friday, December 6, marking the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence, the embassy highlighted that the rate of forced and early marriages has risen since schools were closed.

Joel Sandford, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) mission, stated in the video message that forced marriages of girls have increased by 25% and early marriages by 45% since the Taliban closed schools for girls above the 6th grade.

The embassy expressed concern over these statistics, noting that this trend presents serious social and economic challenges for women in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Embassy also described the Taliban’s “promotion of virtue” law for women as dangerous.

Previously, human rights organizations had warned about the rise in forced and early marriages of girls under the Taliban regime.

This growing issue highlights the increasing vulnerability of Afghanistan’s girls in the face of the Taliban’s policies, which have severely restricted their rights and access to education.

The closure of schools for girls has created an environment where early and forced marriages are seen as the only alternative for many families.

The international community’s continued pressure and efforts to raise awareness about these human rights violations are crucial in ensuring that Afghan girls are protected and given the opportunities they deserve.

The situation calls for immediate action to prevent further harm and to restore basic rights for women and girls in Afghanistan.

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