The prevalence of forced and child marriages in Afghanistan has seen a dramatic and alarming surge since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Compounded by a severe economic and humanitarian crisis and the Draconian ban on girls’ education, the fundamental rights and futures of countless Afghan girls and women are being systematically dismantled.
While forced and child marriage has been a long-standing issue in Afghanistan, recent data paints a grim picture of a rapidly deteriorating situation. Even before the Taliban takeover in 2021, UNICEF estimated that 28% of Afghan women aged 15-49 were married before the age of 18. A 2018 report by ReliefWeb, based on research in five provinces, found that 42% of households had at least one member who was married before the age of 18.
Since 2021, however, the situation has escalated. The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reported that in the months following the Taliban’s return, 35% of Afghan girls were married before the age of 18, and 17% were married before 15. Between December 2022 and February 2023 alone, SIGAR documented 578 cases of forced marriages, with 361 of them involving underage brides. UN Women has warned that if the restrictions on girls’ education continue, the rate of child marriage could increase by as much as 25%.
Interview on the Psychological Impacts of Forced Marriage on Girls
Interviewer: Mohammad Jafar Niazi – Afghan Journalist
Respondent: Mubeena Saee – Facilitator of Mental Health Programs for Exiled Journalists
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Mubeena Saee
- What are the long-term psychological effects of forced marriage on girls?
Forced marriage, considering the emotional state of the individual and the lack of love and affection between the parties, leads to the development of hatred and resentment and the absence of a stable life between the man and woman. Over time, this can result in separation or psychological disorders for women and girls.
- How can forced marriage limit the development of personality and intellectual independence of a girl?
You know, when any person, whether man or woman, makes a decision to build a life or make any other decision based on their own will and desire, this independence in decision-making helps the individual progress. For example, if a girl marries by her own choice, she can have a role in building a life full of affection, love, and trust. But if the marriage is forced, the girl will consider life as something separated from herself and belonging to someone else for the rest of her life.
- What are the differences between the psychological effects of forced marriage and voluntary marriage on girls’ mental health?
The difference between a forced and a voluntary marriage is that in a forced marriage, even the children feel insecure emotionally because they grow up in a family where there is no sense of love and trust, and they witness many differences between their father and mother. But in a voluntary marriage, you can see respect, love, affection, and, most importantly, mutual rights being observed.
- Are girls who are forced into marriage more exposed to domestic violence and exploitation? If yes, why?
Exactly, when the life is based on force, all relationships in it are also forced. Every behavior and interaction in such a marriage can lead to psychological, physical, and verbal violence, because in a forced marriage there is no love and affection between the couple. This type of life is itself a form of imposed violence.
- What psychological and counseling strategies are effective in helping girls who are victims of forced marriage?
If after marriage, the man, and woman realize their mistakes and feel the sense of coercion or danger in continuing the relationship, they can use psychological counseling and joint sessions with therapists to prevent the collapse of their shared life. Surely, this will not be ineffective.
