Taliban delayed Afghan man's marriage to six-year-old

A 45-year-old Afghan man was prevented from marrying a six-year-old girl by the Taliban, who instead mandated he wait until she is nine. The girl was allegedly given to the man in exchange for money. The Taliban intervened in the planned marriage in Helmand province, arresting both the man and the girl's father, though no charges were filed. The man, who already has two wives, must wait three years. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of child marriage in Afghanistan, which has increased since the Taliban banned girls' education in 2021. The UN has reported a rise in child marriages and childbearing.