Afghan activists document forced marriages as Taliban chief says women have better rights under them
The Taliban’s supreme leader has claimed in a rare audio message that his ultra hardline regime, which has kept girls and women out of schools and workplaces, has ensured their rights better than any previous government.
Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan since 2021, said his regime does not marry off women and widows by force – a claim countered by women activists witnessing the crimes on the ground in Afghanistan.
“We have issued a. The previous governments have not provided the rights[amount paid by groom to the bride at the time of marriage as a traditional gift], don’t force women for nikah, don’t marry a widow by force. We give women the heritage,” Mr Akhundzada said, according to Tolo news on Thursday.
