KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A 21-year-old woman has taken her own life in Zabul province, southern Afghanistan, after her father forced her into marriage against her will, local sources reported.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, died after ingesting poison in the provincial capital of Qalat, Zabul province, on Tuesday evening, Sept. 9, the sources told KabulNow on condition of anonymity.
According to the sources, her father compelled her to marry a man last week despite her objections. The family, originally from Nawbahar district of Zabul, had been living in Qalat in recent years.
No further details have been provided, and Taliban authorities in Zabul have not commented on the incident.
Cases of suicide linked to forced and early marriages have been on the rise in Afghanistan, particularly since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Activists say Talinan restrictions and poverty are the main driving factors behind the increase.
A UN Women report released last year said Taliban restrictions, particularly the nationwide ban on girls’ secondary and higher education, have contributed to a 25% rise in child marriage, a 45% increase in childbearing, and at least a 50% rise in maternal mortality across the country.
Despite repeated international appeals, including from Islamic nations and organizations, the Taliban have refused to reverse restrictions on women and girls, leaving many vulnerable to forced and early marriage, violence, and despair.
