On the International Day of the Girl, one in every two girls gets married before the age of 18 in Afghanistan

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The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that the Afghanistan Multiple Indicators survey showed that 28.7% of women between the ages of 20 and 24 were married before their 18th birthday.

UNICEF said today, Sunday, October 11, on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl, that according to the survey, one in every two girls in some areas of Afghanistan is married before reaching the age of eighteen.

The United Nations Children's Fund stressed that "child marriage has serious consequences for girls' health and well-being, as it hinders their education and limits their future opportunities."

The organization added: “Child marriage increases their risk of exposure to violence and social isolation, and exacerbates the risks of pregnancy and premature birth.”

The organization emphasized that it is possible to prevent child marriage, and that 68 million child marriages were avoided globally during the past 25 years through investment in girls’ education, legal reforms, and social protection.

UNICEF explained that preventing child marriage in Afghanistan requires concerted efforts, including "protecting every girl's right to education, enhancing protection and support for girls, supporting the most vulnerable families and communities, and investing in basic services."

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said, "Although education alone is not enough to eliminate child marriage, keeping girls in school is one of the most effective ways to protect their rights. Therefore, UNICEF renews its call to the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to reopen schools for girls after the sixth grade."

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) confirmed that it will continue to work with communities, local stakeholders and partners to prevent child marriage and protect girls at risk in Afghanistan.

The organization announced that it supports teenage girls, including teenage mothers, to access education, life skills, health care, protection, and other essential services.

“On this International Day of the Girl, let us renew our commitment to ending child marriage by promoting healthy childhoods, continuing to advocate for the right to education, and supporting opportunities that enable every girl in Afghanistan to build their future,” said Tajuddin Oyewale, UNICEF Afghanistan Director, in a statement.

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, they have banned girls' education beyond the sixth grade of primary school.

According to the United Nations, this ban has deprived about 2.5 million girls of education. There have been reports of an increase in child marriages in Afghanistan following the ban on girls' education.