Statement by the Women’s Movement “Window of Hope Afghanistan” on World Children’s Day and the Taliban’s “Separation of Spouses Regulation”
The Women’s Movement “Window of Hope Afghanistan” has issued a statement on the occasion of World Children’s Day, criticizing the Taliban’s “Separation of Spouses Regulation” and expressing concerns regarding its potential implications for the rights of children and women.
In the statement, the movement says that certain provisions of the regulation may affect issues related to child marriage and legal provisions concerning marriage and separation. It further suggests that these provisions could potentially limit girls’ rights in decision-making related to marriage and annulment.
The movement also states that in recent years, women and girls in Afghanistan have faced restrictions in areas such as education, employment, and social participation, and argues that recent changes in family-related regulations could have further legal and social consequences for their status.
Key points raised in the statement
The statement highlights several issues, including:
- Possible changes or interpretations of legal provisions regarding the minimum age of marriage and underage marriage (nikah-e saghira)
- Potential restrictions on the right of annulment for girls who were married at a young age
- The issue of consent in marriage and the interpretation of silence as consent
- The role of guardians in decisions related to the marriage of girls
- Procedures related to separation and divorce in different marital circumstances
- Dependence of certain legal processes on the consent of the other party or court rulings
- Lack of sufficient protective mechanisms for victims of domestic violence or forced marriage, according to the movement
Conclusion
The statement concludes that these issues may have broader implications for the legal status of women and children and calls for greater attention from relevant authorities and international organizations
