UN: End Child Marriage and Early Pregnancy in Afghanistan

On the International Day of the Girl Child, several UN agencies in Afghanistan have called for investment in girls’ rights and an end to child marriage. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warned on Sunday, October 11, that early pregnancy poses serious risks to young mothers and timely access to health services can save lives Meanwhile, UNICEF announced that according to recent findings, 28.7% of Afghan women were married before age 18, and in some regions, one in two girls is a child bride According to Etilaat Roz, UNICEF stressed that this practice deprives girls of education, increases the risk of violence, and limits their future opportunities The UNDP also stated that Afghanistan’s future depends on the opportunities provided to girls today.