In Afghanistan, girls' silence is now considered consent to marriage

In Afghanistan, girls' silence is now considered consent to marriage

The Taliban have introduced a new law regulating marriage and family relations in Afghanistan. The 31-article "Principles of Divorce" was approved by Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and published in the country's official newspaper.

The law's clause that the silence of a girl who has reached puberty can be considered consent to marriage has been sharply criticized by human rights defenders and international organizations. They believe that interpreting silence as consent restricts the right of girls to freely express their opinions. According to reports, the amount paid for young brides in Afghanistan ranges from $500 to $3,000. The organization "Girls Not Brides" reported that almost a third of Afghan girls are married before they turn 18.

The law also does not automatically grant consent to the silence of boys or previously married women. The document also regulates cases related to child marriage, missing spouses, forced divorce, apostasy and adultery. The law gives fathers and grandfathers broad powers to approve the marriage of minors. However, if the guardians are found to be cruel or morally unfit, such marriages can be considered invalid. Taliban judges have been given the authority to intervene in cases of adultery, conversion to Islam and the long-term disappearance of a husband.

Earlier, measures were introduced to ban women from higher education, restrict employment and increase control over public life.