News & Blogs

KABUL, Afghanistan — October 12, 2026

News Report

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for urgent action to prevent child marriage and protect the rights and future opportunities of girls in Afghanistan.

In a statement released on October 11 to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl, UNICEF highlighted the connection between education, child protection, and the prevention of early marriage.

According to Afghanistan’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey for 2022–2023, 28.7 percent of women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18. In some parts of the country, the survey found that the figure reached one in two girls.

UNICEF warned that child marriage can disrupt education, harm girls’ health and well-being, and limit their opportunities later in life.

Education and Protection Are Connected

Access to education is an important part of protecting girls and helping them build independent futures. However, girls in Afghanistan continue to face serious barriers to education beyond the sixth grade.

UNICEF has called on the de facto authorities to reopen secondary schools to adolescent girls. The organization has also urged families, communities, local leaders, and international partners to work together to prevent child marriage and support vulnerable households.

Economic hardship can increase pressure on families and make it more difficult for girls to continue their education. UNICEF therefore emphasizes the importance of supporting vulnerable families alongside investments in education, healthcare, and protection services.

The organization says that preventing child marriage requires collective action and that girls must have opportunities to learn, develop their skills, and participate in decisions affecting their futures.

My Opinion: Every Girl Deserves the Chance to Choose Her Future

In my opinion, education is not simply about attending school or receiving a certificate. It is about having the opportunity to think independently, develop skills, make informed decisions, and contribute to society.

As an Afghan girl, I believe that every girl deserves the chance to learn and build a future based on her abilities and ambitions. No girl should have to give up her dreams because of poverty, limited educational opportunities, or pressure to marry before she is ready.

Families also need support. Protecting girls requires more than asking parents to make different choices; it requires communities and institutions to help families access education, economic opportunities, and essential services.

I believe that listening to girls is especially important. Policies and programs designed to support them should take their experiences, needs, and aspirations seriously.

Afghanistan cannot reach its full potential if millions of girls are unable to develop their talents. Educating and protecting girls benefits not only individual families but also the country’s future.

Every girl deserves safety, dignity, education, and the opportunity to make meaningful choices about her own life. These should not be distant hopes. They should be priorities today.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s latest statement highlights the urgent need to protect girls from child marriage and expand their access to education in Afghanistan.

Progress will require cooperation among families, communities, authorities, humanitarian organizations, and international partners. It will also require sustained support for vulnerable households and accessible educational opportunities.

The future of Afghanistan depends in part on whether its girls are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute. Protecting their childhood and investing in their education are essential steps toward a healthier and more hopeful society.

Source: UNICEF Afghanistan, “End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls. Protect their Futures,” October 11, 2026.