8am: Many residents of Balkh province describe the Taliban’s rule over Afghanistan as a “reign of poverty and hunger.” They report that numerous families are marrying off their young daughters in arranged marriages due to poverty and unemployment, using the bride price to meet their immediate living needs. These families stress that, beyond meeting necessities, they hope to rescue their daughters from “uncertainty” and secure their futures. Previous reports have also highlighted that many girls are being forced into early and arranged marriages due to a lack of education and employment opportunities. Click here to read more (external link).
Life under Taliban rule