45-Year-old man Marries 6-year old Girl in Helmand, Southern Afghanistan

A 45-year-old man married a six-year-old girl in Helmand, Southern Afghanistan, sparking outrage and renewed concern over rising child marriages.

Local sources in Helmand province have reported that a 45-year-old man has married a six-year-old girl. According to witnesses on Friday, the girl’s family agreed to the marriage in exchange for money, raising serious concerns about child exploitation and abuse.

Sources further revealed to Khaama Press that the man already had two wives.The latest marriage took place in the Marjah district of Helmand province, a region where such cases often go undocumented or unchallenged due to cultural and legal limitations.

Reports indicate that the Taliban, who control Helmand province, have temporarily prevented the girl from being taken to the man’s house. However, they have not issued any official statement or condemnation regarding the marriage, despite their claims of upholding Islamic and national values.

This case adds to growing evidence that child marriage is on the rise in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Human rights organizations have documented an increase in early and forced marriages, often driven by poverty, lack of legal protection, and a collapse in enforcement of child welfare laws.

A photo circulating online shows the 45-year-old man and the six-year-old girl during their wedding ceremony, sparking outrage among social media users and human rights activists. The image has been widely condemned as a symbol of deepening human rights abuses in Taliban-controlled areas, where child marriage remains a growing concern.

This incident comes amid a surge in forced child marriages in southern provinces such as Helmand, Kandahar, and Zabul—regions under heavy Taliban influence. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that the absence of clear legal protections, lack of effective oversight, and the administration’s lenient approach to such cases are enabling the continuation of these “human tragedies.”

International observers and Afghanistan civil society groups continue to urge authorities to intervene in such cases. However, with limited access to justice and rising fear among communities, many families remain silent, further endangering the rights and safety of girls.

Across rural Afghanistan, particularly under Taliban rule, harmful traditions like child marriage persist with minimal accountability. These practices are often rooted in patriarchal norms and economic desperation, where girls are treated as commodities to relieve family debt or secure alliances.

Alongside these issues, Afghan girls face severe restrictions on education, with most secondary schools and universities closed to female students. The systematic exclusion from schooling has left millions of girls without hope for a better future and increased their vulnerability to early marriage.

Living conditions for women and children in Afghanistan are dire. Many families struggle with extreme poverty, lack of healthcare, and food insecurity. Girls, especially those married young, face increased risks of domestic violence, poor maternal health, and lifelong psychological trauma.

The post 45-Year-old man Marries 6-year old Girl in Helmand, Southern Afghanistan appeared first on Khaama Press.