A six-year-old girl was sold to a 45-year-old man who intends to make her his third wife. The wedding occurred in Marjah District, Afghanistan, in late June. According to reports, the child’s father accepted money in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage and arranged the ceremony.
Reports say that the groom is a resident of Helmand Province who already has two wives. He was photographed standing beside the child during the ceremony. The image of the visibly much older man next to the small child has since gone viral online, igniting global outrage and drawing condemnation from online users.
Reports say the marriage was to be finalised once the child was relocated to live in the man’s home, but Taliban officials intervened before the transfer could take place.
According to reports, the man was briefly detained, but no formal charges were filed. Taliban officials reportedly postponed the union and instructed that the 6-year-old child must remain with her family until she turns nine years old.
The case has ignited renewed scrutiny over the rise in child marriages across southern Afghanistan, particularly in Taliban-controlled provinces like Helmand, Kandahar, and Zabul. Many online users have expressed disgust in response to the incident.
Advocates say worsening poverty and growing restrictions on women and girls, including bans on female education, are fuelling the surge in early and forced marriages.
Local sources confirmed that the child’s father had received a financial offer from the older man, which led to the arrangement. The incident has been described as deeply alarming online. Activists have blamed the lack of legal enforcement and accountability for such cases persisting.
They also warned that young girls can experience serious and lasting consequences, like health risks, domestic abuse, and social isolation from early marriages.
Local media reports that the man involved in the case remains free, and the child is currently still with her family. Meanwhile, there has been no public comment from the Taliban regarding long-term action or policy changes.