Afghan families forced to sell daughters as child brides to get money for food: Report

As chaos continues to tighten its grip on Afghanistan after Taliban takeover, families in war-torn nation are forced to sell ir young daughters as child brides and use money to buy food. As Afghan economy continues to crumble, CNN stated that an Afghan far was forced to sell his nine-year-old daughter to a 55-year-old man as a child bride pleing that buyer does not beat young child. Reportedly, it was price that Abdul Malik h to pay to feed rest of family starving as country’s economy collapses. 

nine-year-old girl, Parwana Malik told CNN on 22 October that her buyer is an “old man” and she worries that he will beat her and force her to work in his house. However, her parents have reportedly said that y have no choice. media outlet noted that for four years, her family lived in Afghanistan’s displacement camp in Bghis province. While y were surviving on humanitarian aid and carrying out menial work to earn a few dollars, ir life specifically got harder since Taliban took power in Afghanistan on 15 August. 

report noted that international aid for Afghanistan has dried up and economy of country is collapsing, families such as Malik’s are unable to afford basic necessities like food. Her far alrey sold her 12-year-old sister several months ago. Reportedly, she is one of many girls who have been sold into marriage as country’s humanitarian crisis escalated. scarcity of food in country has pushed some families to make devastating choices especially as winter is approaching. 

Mohamm Naiem Nazem, a human rights activist in Bghis reportedly said, “Day by day, numbers are increasing of families selling ir children...Lack of food, lack of work, families feel y have to do this."

22.8 million to face severe hunger: UN

Even United Nations (UN) agencies have warned that crisis in Afghanistan is worsening and have allocated millions for emergency aid to assist vulnerable population of 20 million. A recent report issued by Food Security and Agriculture Cluster of Afghanistan, co-led by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations and World Food Program (WFP), more than half of Afghanistan's population (a record 22.8 million) will experience extreme food insecurity from November. WFP report has stated that combined effects of COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, drought, and economic crisis have impacted livelihoods and access to food.

(IMAGE: AP)