Afghanistan’s Kandahar Father Marries 17-Year-Old Daughter to Chinese Man

A reported marriage between a 17-year-old Afghan girl and a Chinese citizen in Kandahar has sparked public discussion after videos circulated online. A reported marriage between a 17-year-old girl from Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province and a Chinese citizen has drawn public attention after videos from the ceremony circulated on social media. Local sources said the wedding took place about a month ago at the “Hazaar-o-Yak Shab” wedding hall in Kandahar city. The sources alleged that the girl was married in exchange for 1.5 million Afghanis. The girl’s father, identified by sources as Noor Ahmad, is reportedly from Shorabak district of Kandahar and works as a street vendor in the provincial capital. The Chinese citizen, who reportedly goes by the name Hamad, had converted to Islam several years ago, according to local reports. Sources also claimed that his family is involved in trade between Afghanistan and China, including the export of Afghan saffron and dried fruit and the import of vehicle tyres and spare parts. They said financial difficulties faced by the girl’s family were among the factors linked to the reported marriage. However, details about the circumstances of the marriage, including whether the girl gave free consent, could not be independently confirmed. The circulation of wedding videos prompted reactions from social media users and some local Taliban figures, with critics calling for greater attention to reported marriages involving Afghan girls and foreign nationals. The reported case comes amid growing concerns over child and forced marriages in Afghanistan, where humanitarian organizations have warned that economic hardship, restrictions on women’s education and limited opportunities for girls have increased vulnerabilities. Since the Taliban banned girls from attending secondary schools in 2021 and later restricted women from university education, aid agencies have reported rising concerns that poverty, social pressure and lack of access to education are contributing factors in early and forced marriages. In Herat province, local officials and humanitarian groups have previously raised concerns about families marrying off young girls due to financial difficulties and worsening living conditions. The post Afghanistan’s Kandahar Father Marries 17-Year-Old Daughter to Chinese Man appeared first on Khaama Press.