The Kabul Tribune (KT) — UN Women Afghanistan has raised serious concerns over a newly issued Taliban decree, warning that it could further erode the rights and safety of women and girls in Afghanistan.
In a statement, Susan Ferguson said Decree No. 18, published
by the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice on May 14, 2026, represents a troubling
development as the country nears five years since the Taliban’s return to
power.
According to the statement, the decree outlines conditions
for separation from a spouse but introduces measures that could heighten risks
of child marriage and limit women’s autonomy. Unlike previous laws that set a
minimum age for marriage and criminalized forced and child marriage, the new
decree does not specify a minimum age.
Instead, it provides mechanisms for invalidating child
marriages only after a person reaches puberty, a provision that UN Women says
may effectively legitimize the practice and contribute to its normalization.
The decree also imposes additional legal barriers for women
seeking separation from their spouses. Women are required to present multiple
witness testimonies, while in some cases, a husband may override a woman’s
request through a statement or by withholding consent.
Ferguson noted that these provisions reflect a broader
pattern of legal inequality, adding that recent Taliban policies indicate that
men and women are no longer treated equally before the law in Afghanistan.
UN Women reiterated that Afghan women and girls are entitled
to live free from violence and discrimination, with full access to dignity,
safety, freedom of movement, and participation in public life.
The agency called on the Taliban to ensure that all laws and
policies align with international human rights obligations and protect the
fundamental rights of women and girls.
