Poverty and Taliban policies fuel child marriage.
Child marriage is increasing rapidly in Afghanistan. According to the report, poverty and Taliban policies are reversing years of progress. As a result, many families exchange their daughters for debt relief or food. The investigation documents four families with daughters under nine years old who were promised in marriage. One baby was only two months old. Meanwhile, more than 2.2 million girls remain banned from education beyond the sixth grade, making them more vulnerable to forced marriage.
Health consequences are becoming more severe.
Moreover, hospitals are reporting more pregnancies among underage girls. One public hospital in northern Afghanistan recorded 42 underage births during the first five months of 2026. In addition, six girls were already in their second pregnancy. Five suffered ectopic pregnancies, while 18 required caesarean sections. Sadly, two mothers died, although their babies survived. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pregnancy before age 20 carries serious health risks. Furthermore, OCHA estimates Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate at 600 deaths per 100,000 live births. This compares with 16 in Iran, 155 in Pakistan, and 12 in the United Kingdom.
Economic hardship is worsening the crisis.
However, poverty is only part of the problem. Before the Taliban returned to power, Afghan law prohibited marriage under 15 years of age. Now, the new decree establishes no minimum legal age. At the same time, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that 28 million people cannot afford basic needs. That represents about three-quarters of the population. Additionally, more than 80% of households are in debt. International assistance also fell by more than 16% in 2025, forcing hundreds of health clinics to close or reduce services. Likewise, human rights organizations estimate that 70% of girls forced out of school later entered forced marriages.
Families say they have no other choice.
Consequently, several families described child marriage as a survival strategy. One grandmother said her one-year-old granddaughter was promised in marriage for 200,000 afghani. Half of the payment was delivered immediately. The remaining amount will be paid when the girl turns eight. Similarly, another family pledged a two-month-old baby to settle debts. They agreed she would marry at the age of seven. Another mother sold her daughter when she was three years old to repay 300,000 afghani. The child is now seven and is expected to leave within a year. Although every family expressed deep regret, they said hunger and unemployment left them with no alternative.
International organizations call for urgent action.
Finally, humanitarian organizations warn that the crisis will continue without stronger international support. Therefore, they urge governments to restore girls’ access to education and improve healthcare services. They also recommend expanding employment opportunities and humanitarian assistance. Otherwise, more girls will face forced marriages, dangerous pregnancies and the loss of educational opportunities. These conditions could affect Afghanistan for generations.
Reference
Noran, N., & Azar, A. (2026, July 15). When she turns eight they will take her: Rising number of Afghan girls being sold into child marriage. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jul/15/afghanistan-girls-sold-into-child-marriage