Girls in Afghanistan at risk of early marriage: SIGAR Report

Written By: Hakim Bigzaad

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or “SIGAR,” in its latest report cited by OCHA, the UN humanitarian coordination office, has stated that Afghan girls and women are exposed to early marriages, domestic violence, and sexual exploitation.

This entity added in its report on Thursday, February 8, that systematic violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan under the re-emergence of the Taliban regime have no parallel elsewhere in the world.

SIGAR, citing the UN Women’s section, writes that 28.7% of girls are married by the age of 18 and 9% of girls are married by the age of 15.

UN agencies in Afghanistan have also stated that with the worsening economic situation in the country, the rate of forced and early marriages has increased.

These organizations have warned that early marriages are considered one of the primary threats to girls in society.

Since the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan in August 2021, about 100 decrees related to women’s lives have been issued, including deprivation from education and work, prominent examples of its imposition.

On the other hand, UNAMA’s recent report for the year 2023 stated that there is no accountable authority for gender-based violence in government offices.

According to the report, 80% of girls are deprived of secondary education, and about a hundred thousand more girls have dropped out of universities.

Considering these constraints, the recognition of “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan has become one of the focal points of human rights organizations globally.

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