KABUL — Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, in a new decree, has stated that girls have the right to file complaints in court if their guardians—such as fathers or brothers—violate their rights in marriage.
The decree, which also addresses “harmful cultural practices” related to marriage and post-Hajj celebrations, emphasizes that forced marriages are prohibited and that a bride’s dowry belongs solely to her.
“The dowry is the rightful property of the bride, and no one else has the right to use it,” the decree states.
Akhundzada instructed male guardians to respect a girl’s religious rights, consult her before marriage, and not force her into a union.
The decree also sets new rules for weddings, including a ban on unveiling the bride in public, demanding money from the groom’s family during the wedding ceremony, and requiring extravagant feasts.
It specifies that a wedding should take place soon after the engagement and prohibits wearing the same clothes at multiple wedding ceremonies.
Regarding Hajj and Umrah returnees, the Taliban leader outlawed large-scale feasts and community gatherings, stating that such celebrations have no religious basis and should be avoided.
The decree instructs multiple government bodies—including the ministries of Interior, Borders and Tribes, Information and Culture, Religious Affairs, Education, and Higher Education—to raise public awareness about the new regulations. Religious scholars, local elders, and tribal leaders were also urged to support enforcement efforts.
While the decree mentions women’s ability to file complaints, it comes amid a series of severe restrictions on women’s rights under Taliban rule.
Over the past three years, the Taliban have banned girls from secondary schools and universities, barred women from working in NGOs and most government offices, restricted access to medical education for female students and have reduced salaries for female government employees.
Despite international condemnation, the Taliban have only intensified their gender-based restrictions, reinforcing a system that severely limits women’s participation in public life.
