45-year-old man marries 7-year-old girl in Afghanistan

45-year-old man marries 7-year-old girl in Afghanistan

A 45-year-old man in the Marja district of Helmand province in Afghanistan has married a seven-year-old girl. The man is said to already have two wives. The girl's father agreed in exchange for money. When the Taliban learned of the incident, they stopped the wedding ceremony and briefly detained the two men. They were not charged.
The Taliban ordered the man not to take the girl home until she turned 9. The case is under investigation.
Rights activists say such incidents indicate a rise in child marriage in the southern provinces, where the Taliban has strong control.