100 days of Taliban rule bring devastation, Afghans see a rise in child marriage

Afghanistan is set to become the world's worst humanitarian crisis since the Taliban seized power.

New Delhi: The Taliban had seized power in Afghanistan 100 days ago, on August 15, 2021. The country faces many problems, including indiscriminate human rights abuses and severe economic crisis, which has led many Afghans to 'marry' off and virtually sell their young daughters to older men for 'dowries'.

"…. Over the past 100 days, the rule of law has collapsed. The absence of appropriate mechanisms to investigate abuses means that human rights violations remain largely unaddressed," said a statement from the International Federation of Human Rights.

It further said: "The Taliban's severe repression of civil society has left no room for dissent, making it harder, if not impossible, for those inside the country to hold the Taliban to account for their actions." 

Although journalists, activists, and protesters, including women and girls, have tried to speak out, the Taliban has shown "no willingness" to address their concerns, instead violently suppressing those who criticized them.

"All these violations have been committed with complete impunity. The rule of law in Afghanistan has fully collapsed since the Taliban takeover, creating a situation in which a lack of accountability for abuses prevails.  National courts are no longer functioning, while Taliban customary courts around the country continue their work. Police and other law enforcement agencies are not carrying out their duties. Judges and prosecutors live in fear of revenge attacks by former Taliban detainees," it said.

On the other hand, international media quoting women's rights activists and others say, "Child marriage has increased in tandem with soaring poverty".

There are also reports of destitute parents, even promising baby girls for future marriage in exchange for dowries. A report by news agency Reuters also claimed that the UN children's agency UNICEF said there were "credible reports of families offering daughters as young as 20-days old for future marriage in return for a dowry."

Crippled by drought and economic collapse, Afghanistan is set to become the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"As winter sets in, they said millions were on the brink of starvation, and 97 per cent of households could fall below the poverty line by mid-2022," the report said.

The International Federation of Human Rights report said the Taliban rule has "broken previous networks of support available to women". 

For instance, it is unclear if shelters can continue to operate under Taliban rule. Shelters have been a vital resource to women in a country where 35 per cent of women experience intimate partner violence. 

India has repeatedly said that it favours 'unhindered' access to assist the people of Afghanistan. "India's support to the people of Afghanistan is very clear. We have been extending support over many years to all the people of Afghanistan," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said recently. He also pointed out that one of the elements was "the need for unimpeded, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance providers".