The Impact of Afghanistan’s Policies on Early Child Marriage and Girl’s Education: Current Trends and Future Consequences

Afghan women and girls have been prohibited from working outside the home, attending schools and universities, traveling without a male companion, and, banned from studying in medical institutes in courses such as midwifery and nursing. Here we discuss how the current policies in Afghanistan affect early child marriage and education of young girls and the consequences on women's health. These restrictions have, and will continue to have, significant impacts on the health and wellbeing of women and girls in Afghanistan reversing advances made in the last two decades. These limitations increase the vulnerability of girls to early marriage leading to increased adolescent pregnancies, maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, mental health consequences, and gender-based violence. Limiting available female healthcare providers further threatens maternal health by reducing already limited access to care. Urgent national and international action is needed to restore access to education and healthcare to safeguard women's rights and protect the health and lives of mothers and their children in Afghanistan.