6-Year-Old Girl in Helmand Forced to Marry Elderly Man Amid Crisis
Helmand, Afghanistan – June 2025
Local sources in Helmand province report that a six-year-old girl in the Marja district has been forcibly married to an elderly man as part of a settlement deal. The child, who became the man's third wife, was married off by her father in exchange for 400,000 Afghanis (approximately USD 5,500). According to reports, neither the child nor her mother consented to the marriage.
This case is part of a growing pattern of child and forced marriages in Afghanistan, particularly since the Taliban’s return to power. The collapse of the economy, lack of access to education for girls, and the absence of legal protections have exacerbated the situation, especially in rural areas.
UNICEF and other child protection agencies have raised alarms over the rise in underage marriages. Following the closure of girls’ secondary schools, many families are reportedly marrying off their daughters to reduce household expenses.
Child rights advocates emphasize that forced child marriages are a grave violation of international human rights law and have long-term physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for the victims. They stress that protecting girls’ rights to education, bodily autonomy, and a safe childhood must be prioritized—especially in times of crisis.
