Afghanistan enacts child marriage law
Analysis based on 16 articles · First reported May 17, 2026 · Last updated May 22, 2026
The new law in Afghanistan>>> further entrenches discrimination against women and girls, potentially leading to long-term negative consequences for Afghanistan>>>'s development and economic participation. This could deter international aid and investment, impacting the country's financial stability.
The Taliban>>> government in Afghanistan>>> issued Decree No. 18 on judicial separation of spouses, which includes controversial provisions implying child marriage is permitted and makes it significantly harder for women to obtain a divorce compared to men. The United Nations>>> and its mission in Afghanistan>>>, International — United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan>>>, expressed 'grave concern', stating the law undermines free and full consent and fails to safeguard children's best interests, further eroding the rights of Afghan women and girls. Zabihullah Mujahid>>>, a spokesman for the Afghan government, rejected the criticism, asserting the decree follows Islamic law and that a previous decree by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada>>> banned forced marriage. This new law is seen as part of a broader trajectory of restrictions that have deprived millions of Afghan women and girls of education, weakened economic participation, and deepened poverty.
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