: Saturday, June 20, 2026 09:18 AM
Geneva. UN experts have warned that the Taliban’s new order to set the terms for separation between spouses could not only encourage child marriage, but also make it more difficult for women and girls to escape violent and abusive relationships. “The order on ‘spousal separation’ issued by the Taliban-controlled Justice Ministry in April 2026 could put women and girls at risk of exploitation and violence. It could also impact the Shia community and other religious minority groups,” experts said. According to the report of the United Nations Human Rights Office, this order seems to recognize child marriage. This is in contrast to his earlier order of December 2021, which required the consent of “an adult woman” for marriage.
Experts had welcomed the earlier order and said that underage marriage had been a major concern even during the previous government. But with the new order it seems that child marriage is being accepted again.
The report said that this order may give more opportunity to parents or guardians to misuse their power. This can make it almost impossible for girls to report domestic violence or take steps to prevent it.
According to the report, there are some provisions in the order under which a girl can ask for separation only after she attains puberty after marriage. This means that instead of saving her life before marriage, she may have to face difficult situations for many years.
“This could leave girls facing physical, mental, sexual and economic harm for years before they can seek redress,” the report said.
Experts also said the order makes it much more difficult for women and girls who are facing violence from their husbands or in-laws to seek separation. It may be very difficult for them to report such violence and get permission to separate.
Experts also reminded that Afghanistan is bound by several international conventions, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and Inhuman Treatment, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Marriage may be a social, cultural, religious and legal matter, but we remind Taliban officials that they have a responsibility under international human rights law to protect women and children from violence and protect their rights to dignity, equality and security. We call on them to withdraw these discriminatory practices,” she said.
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Web Title-UN experts express concern over new Taliban decree threatening women freedom