Taliban Legalizes Pedophilia

Khatira, a 12-year-old seventh-grader who used a pseudonym out of fear of retribution, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi her parents arranged her engagement to a much older man in her native western Ghor Province six months ago.

"I didn't want to marry," she said. "But my father warned me that if I refused to marry, the Taliban would force him to marry me to one of their fighters."

Khatira was a brilliant student. She was top of her class and had big dreams for the future. She wanted to serve her community by becoming a doctor in the remote, impoverished province.

A marriage to Taliban fighters or officials -- particularly elderly ones seeking second or third wives -- was not something her family could bear to see.

"The Taliban policies shattered all our dreams," Khatira said.

Afghans Increasingly Marrying Off Young Daughters To Avoid Forced Unions With TalibanRFE/RL