Overview
- The Taliban issued a 31-article decree called Principles of Separation Between Spouses, approved by Hibatullah Akhundzada and published in the official gazette in mid-May.
- Article 7 says a virgin girl's silence after puberty may be treated as consent to marriage, a standard that does not apply to boys or previously married women.
- Article 5 recognises some marriages arranged for minors by relatives other than a father or grandfather if the spouse is deemed socially compatible and the dowry acceptable, with annulment only through Taliban courts after puberty under the khiyar al-bulugh doctrine.
- The regulation enlarges the reach of Taliban religious judges, who can rule on adultery, apostasy, husbands' prolonged absence, and zihar, and can order separation, imprisonment, or other penalties.
- Rights groups say the decree entrenches child marriage and deepens curbs on women and girls, noting reports of poverty-driven bride deals of $500–$3,000 and that nearly one-third of Afghan girls marry before 18.