Afghanistan: The Taliban announced on Friday that they will prohibit women from being forced into marriage in the war-torn country, in what appears to be a bid to address criteria that industrialised countries consider a need for recognising their administration and restoring aid.
The announcement by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhunzada came as poverty in Afghanistan is on the rise, following the fundamentalist militia's takeover in August, which forced out US and international soldiers and prompted foreign countries to withdraw funds that had been a lifeline for the country's economy.
The decree said that "no one can force women to marry by coercion or pressure," and that "no one can force women to marry by coercion or pressure." Women's rights have advanced dramatically in Afghanistan over the last two decades of Western engagement, but they are again considered as in jeopardy with the return of the Taliban, who kept women virtually confined under their previous rule in the 1990s.
As the internally displaced marry off their young daughters in exchange for a bride-price that may be used to pay debts and support their family, forced weddings have grown more widespread in the poor, conservative country.
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