An 18-year-old Afghan woman who pleaded for a divorce from an abusive husband was met with laughter from Taliban officials, one of whom remarked that women are 'mindless' and 'deficient in intellect,' the BBC reported.
The encounter took place in northern Afghanistan, in the province of Jawzjan, as the country enters its fifth year under Taliban rule. The militant group took over Kabul in August 2021 after US and NATO forces withdrew, sweeping away women's rights, including bans on secondary education and most jobs.
Teen's plea before governor
In the exchange witnessed by the BBC, the 18-year-old, covered head to toe in a veil and sunglasses, told governor Abdullah Sarhadi she had been subjected to abuse and beatings for months. 'If there was any chance to live together, I wouldn't be here… I have taken my decision,' she said. She added she is 'ready to be executed but not live with him.'
Governor Sarhadi tried to coax her to stay in the marriage, asking: 'Ask yourself: "Who would marry me after I get my divorce?" You'll have to compromise a lot or you'll lose your dignity and honour.' The woman replied: 'Mr Governor, my honour and dignity have already been ruined.'
Officials laugh at her response
After the tense exchange, the governor remarked that women are 'mindless' and 'deficient in intellect,' with laughter from the male officials, bodyguards and others around him, the BBC reported. The woman's husband sat and listened nearby as he waited for his turn to speak.
Money is often heavily involved in divorce proceedings in Afghanistan. Under Sharia law, a woman requesting a divorce may have to pay back the dowry given to her family. The husband in this case wanted four times the dowry amount, but her family refused. To settle the matter, governor Sarhadi said the woman should have her own room, and that the man should not beat her or 'otherwise he'd be jailed.'
Women's rights under Taliban rule
The young woman's family later told the BBC they would try to seek a divorce through the Taliban courts, despite the requirement to have the husband's consent.
Women in Afghanistan face strict rules controlling their lives, including being blocked from many public places like gyms and parks. The Taliban has issued dozens of rules restricting women and girls, such as making it more difficult to leave a marriage and implicitly allowing child marriage. Girls have effectively been banned from attending school beyond sixth grade, and only an estimated 7% of Afghan women work, compared with 84% of men. Around one in two Afghan women leave their home no more than twice a month, according to UN Women. In 2023, almost 30% of Afghan girls aged under 18 were married, including 10% of girls under 15. Access to healthcare has also eroded, and the country now endures one of the world's highest maternal death rates at birth.
