The Dark Practice Of Child Sacrifice In Afghanistan: An Enduring Tradition?

Martyrdom is a concept that holds significant weight in Afghanistan, with the National Assembly designating September 9 as a national holiday to honour those who have died fighting for the country. This date commemorates the assassination of Afghan military leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, who led the resistance against the Soviet invasion and the Taliban. The Taliban, a group that has long embraced suicide bombing as a tactic, continues to promote the idea of seeking martyrdom among its followers. This normalisation of death and violence stands in stark contrast to the vibrant civil society, women's activism, and dynamic culture that has simultaneously emerged in Afghanistan. Within this complex social landscape, the story of Farkhunda Malikzada stands out. Falsely accused of burning the Koran, Farkhunda was brutally killed by a mob, sparking outrage and protests across the nation. Her death became a rallying cry for women's rights, with thousands of men and women marching through Kabul, demanding justice.

While the concept of martyrdom in Afghanistan is often associated with military conflict and religious extremism, it is important to note that Christian converts also face persecution and the threat of martyrdom in the country. With 99.8% of Afghans identifying as Muslims, those who convert to Christianity risk violence and even death at the hands of their families and communities. These Christian martyrs go largely unnoticed by the public, as their deaths occur in secret.

The prevalence of child marriage in Afghanistan

Child marriage is prevalent in Afghanistan, with up to 57% of girls married before they turn 19, and 28% married before the age of 18. The most common ages for girls to marry are 15 and 16. Boys are also affected, with 7% married before the age of 18. The practice is driven by gender inequality, with girls viewed as a source of economic value and domestic labour for their future household.

Child marriage is also driven by a lack of education, with less girls enrolled in full-time education than boys. Girls who have not completed their education are three times more likely to marry before the age of 18 than those who have. Harmful traditional practices are also a factor, with girls seen as a transactional part of an exchange of money and goods between families. Girls are also used to settle disputes between families, or as compensation to a victim's family if a crime has been committed.

Poverty is another driver of child marriage, with families receiving a dowry from the groom at the time of marriage. The cycle of poverty is then perpetuated, as child brides have limited future employment opportunities, with 94.3% of former child brides reporting that they are unemployed.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has exacerbated the problem, with reports of child marriage on the rise as the country deals with economic ruin and a humanitarian crisis. Girls have been banned from attending school, and there are concerns that the Taliban is not focused on eradicating child marriage, with many fighters taking child brides themselves.

The consequences of child marriage are detrimental to the health of girls and their children. Girls' bodies are often not developed enough for childbirth, resulting in emotional, mental, and physical trauma for both the girl and her child. Child marriage also inhibits girls' ability to obtain an education and work independently, and they are more likely to experience domestic violence, discrimination, abuse, and poor mental health.

The impact of child marriage on girls' health and education

Child marriage in Afghanistan has been linked to several detrimental consequences for girls, including a negative impact on their health and education.

Impact on Girls' Health

Child marriage often results in early pregnancy and childbirth, which can lead to various health complications. Girls who marry early are more likely to experience domestic violence, discrimination, abuse, and poor mental health. They also face a higher risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth, with the risk of dying from childbirth and pregnancy being twice as high for girls aged 15-19 compared to older women. This, combined with limited access to quality healthcare, contributes to higher rates of pregnancy complications and maternal mortality. Malnutrition, abuse, and HIV infection are also detrimental health complications associated with early marriage.

Impact on Girls' Education

Child marriage often marks the end of a girl's education. They are either forced to undertake domestic responsibilities and childcare or are denied a place in school due to the belief that their presence could be detrimental to the morals of unmarried girls. The lack of education inhibits their ability to obtain sustainable economic opportunities, limiting their independence and subjecting them to poverty. It also forces them to remain in abusive situations, as they are unaware of other options.

Factors Contributing to Child Marriage

Several factors contribute to the prevalence of child marriage in Afghanistan:

• Gender Inequality: Cultural and traditional perceptions of gender roles influence how women and girls are valued and treated. Gender inequality restricts girls' agency and decision-making power, including their choice of marriage partner and timing.
• Level of Education: There are fewer girls enrolled in full-time education than boys due to factors such as physical accessibility to schools, community illiteracy, poverty, and a lack of knowledge of Sharia and national laws. Girls who have not completed their education are three times more likely to marry before the age of 18.
• Harmful Traditional Practices: Child marriage is driven by transactional and economic views, where girls are seen as a source of domestic labor or a means to strengthen ties between families. Practices such as "baad" or "baadal" involve exchanging girls between families to settle disputes or repay debts.
• Traditional and Societal Attitudes: Social norms and tribal codes, influenced by religious leaders, shape community perceptions and acceptance of child marriage.
• Weak Legal Frameworks: Inconsistencies between international laws and religious laws, such as the legal age of marriage, create loopholes that allow child marriage to persist.
• Adolescent Pregnancy: Families may marry off their daughters to avoid the social stigma of pre-marital sex and childbirth out of wedlock.
• Poverty: Families may view child marriage as a way to reduce the cost of living or gain economic benefits through dowries.
• Humanitarian Settings: Factors such as conflict, displacement, and food insecurity drive families to marry off their daughters early as a perceived survival tactic.

The economic and cultural factors driving child marriage

Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with up to 57% of girls married before the age of 19. The most common ages for girls to marry are 15 and 16. Child marriage is driven by a complex interplay of economic and cultural factors, which are detailed below.

Economic Factors

• Poverty: Child marriage is often viewed as a coping mechanism by families facing financial difficulties. Parents may receive a dowry from the groom, and marrying off a daughter reduces the number of dependents and the cost of living. This is particularly relevant in Afghanistan, where poverty is widespread. In 2020, almost half of Afghanistan's population lacked access to basic necessities such as nutrition and clean water. The COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing food crisis, and onset of winter have further exacerbated the economic situation, pushing more families into poverty.
• Economic Perceptions and Ideologies: Many families in Afghanistan hold a transactional view of marriage, where girls are seen as a source of economic value and domestic labour for their future household. This perception is influenced by cultural norms and gender inequality, which devalues girls and views them primarily as economic assets.
• Economic Benefits of Social Norms: Social norms and tribal codes, such as the practice of baadal (exchange of girls between families) and payment of a bride price, are economically beneficial for families. These practices are particularly appealing to families living in poverty.

Cultural Factors

• Gender Inequality: Afghanistan has a patriarchal society, with strong gender inequalities that restrict girls' agency and power to make decisions about their lives. Girls are often viewed as a source of economic value and domestic labour, rather than as individuals with their own economic potential. This inequality is perpetuated by traditional and societal attitudes, as well as religious and cultural codes.
• Traditional and Societal Attitudes: Social norms and tribal codes in Afghanistan dictate what is considered socially acceptable. These norms are influenced by religious leaders and shape community perceptions on child marriage. For example, the belief that early marriage prevents pre-marital sex and other "immoral" practices is prevalent among religious leaders.
• Harmful Traditional Practices: Certain traditional practices, such as baad (compensatory marriage) and baadal (exchange of girls between families), are economically driven and contribute to child marriage. Child marriage is also used to strengthen ties between families and settle disputes.
• Weak Legal Frameworks: Inconsistencies between international laws and religious laws in Afghanistan contribute to the prevalence of child marriage. The legal age of marriage in international law is not always accepted by religious codes, which consider puberty and adolescence as key determinants for marriage. This makes it difficult to track and prevent child marriages.
• Adolescent Pregnancy: Child marriage is often used to avoid the social stigma associated with pre-marital sex and childbirth out of wedlock.
• Displacement and Humanitarian Settings: For internally displaced families, child marriage can be seen as a survival tactic. Girls may be married off to older men who can provide financial support during times of food insecurity.

The role of families and communities in perpetuating child marriage

Families and communities in Afghanistan play a significant role in perpetuating child marriage, a practice with detrimental consequences for girls. UNICEF defines child marriage as a "formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18", and it is more prevalent among girls than boys. Afghanistan has the second-highest incidence of maternal deaths outside of sub-Saharan Africa, and early marriage is a contributing factor.

Gender Dynamics and Cultural Norms

Child marriage in Afghanistan is driven by gender inequality and the belief that girls are inferior to boys. Traditional and societal attitudes, influenced by tribal codes and religious teachings, shape community perceptions and acceptance of child marriage. Afghanistan's patriarchal society considers child marriage an internal family matter dictated by religious and cultural codes. Religious leaders, such as mullahs and imams, are trusted members of the community and play a pivotal role in performing and endorsing these marriages.

Economic Factors

The transactional nature of child marriage, where girls are viewed as a source of economic value and domestic labour, is a driving force. Poor families often sell their daughters for large dowries from wealthy people, and the husbands are usually much older. The perceived economic benefits of such arrangements influence families to marry off their daughters early, especially in rural areas. This decision is often made by men in the family, with little to no input from female family members.

Education and Literacy

Limited access to education and high illiteracy rates contribute to child marriage. Girls who have not completed their education are three times more likely to marry before turning 18 than those with secondary education or higher. Literacy empowers girls and provides them with alternatives to early marriage. However, even when married girls are permitted to attend school, they often face rejection due to the belief that their presence negatively influences unmarried girls.

Displacement and Humanitarian Settings

For internally displaced families, child marriage is sometimes perceived as a survival tactic. Girls may be married off to older men who can provide financial support during food insecurity. The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan have exacerbated these issues, with families facing increased economic hardship and concerns about their daughters' safety.

Legal Frameworks

Inconsistencies between international laws and religious laws contribute to the persistence of child marriage. The legal age of marriage in Afghanistan is 16 for girls and 18 for boys, according to civil law. However, regional customs and Sharia law, which considers puberty a key determinant for marriage, often take precedence. Additionally, weak legal frameworks and low marriage registration levels make it challenging to track and prevent child marriages effectively.

Addressing Child Marriage

To combat child marriage, it is essential to address the underlying factors that drive it. This includes promoting gender equality, improving access to education and economic opportunities for girls, and challenging harmful social and cultural norms that perpetuate child marriage. Proper implementation of legislation prohibiting child marriage and ensuring birth and marriage registrations are also crucial steps.

Efforts to prevent and eliminate child marriage

In 2017, the Afghan Ministries of Information and Culture (MoIC) and Women’s Affairs (MoWA) launched the "National Action Plan to Eliminate Early and Child Marriage" with support from the Embassy of Canada and UNFPA (the United Nations Population Fund). The plan adopts two approaches: it outlines initiatives to prevent and end early and child marriage, and it strives to improve the implementation of laws and services that support people at risk.

UNICEF is also working with partners to raise communities' awareness of the risks of child marriage for girls. UNICEF has started a cash assistance programme to help offset the risk of hunger, child labour, and child marriage among the most vulnerable families. They plan to scale up this and other social services programmes. UNICEF will also work with religious leaders to ensure they are not involved in the "Nekah" (the marriage contract) for young girls.

The Afghan government has made efforts to resolve the problem of child marriage at a policy level by approving the anti-harassment against women and children legislation. Afghanistan has also committed to eliminating child, early, and forced marriage by 2030 in line with target 5.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

International human rights declarations have outlined regulations that prohibit child marriage, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women states that both parties should be willing to enter into marriage and that child marriage is unacceptable under any circumstance.

Despite these efforts, child marriage remains prevalent in Afghanistan due to shortcomings in the implementation of civil law and the precedence of regional customs and Sharia law. The Taliban's takeover in 2021 has also increased poverty and desperation, contributing to the rise in child marriages.

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