Drought Forces Afghan Families to Sell Girls as Brides 2026

Drought in Afghanistan is forcing families to sell their young daughters into marriage to survive, as crops fail and debts mount. In Badghis province, where 95% of the population relies on rain-fed agriculture, climate breakdown has made droughts more frequent and extreme, robbing people of their incomes. As a result, selling girls as brides to repay debts or feed the family has become a common coping mechanism.

The Impact of Drought on Afghan Families

In rural Afghanistan, families like Khatira's once grew wheat and herded cattle. But when drought displaced them from their village, they lost their livelihood. Now, 11-year-old Khatira is engaged to a 20-year-old man, a union she did not choose. "I am still a child, it cannot be good to be married," she says. Her mother, Noor Bibi, describes how Khatira's health has deteriorated since the engagement: "She was healthy before her engagement, now she is worried and cries a lot."

The situation is dire across Badghis. Shepherds watch over their sheep in hills where pasture is already too dry by March. With no other means to survive, families resort to selling their daughters. Gul Bobo, a mother in Tayz Nāwah, says she cried a lot when her two- and five-year-old daughters were engaged, but her husband had no choice. "As a mother, I cried a lot, but I knew my husband had no choice," she says.

Child Marriage as a Coping Mechanism

Child marriage is not new in Afghanistan, but the drought has exacerbated it. Families sell girls to repay debts, feed their remaining children, or pay for medical treatment. The practice is most prevalent in provinces like Badghis, where alternative livelihoods are scarce. According to UNICEF, Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with 28% of women aged 20-24 married before age 18. The drought has pushed that number higher.

Key Factors Driving Child Marriage in Afghanistan

• Economic desperation: Drought destroys crops and livestock, leaving families with no income.
• Debt bondage: Families sell daughters to repay loans, often to other villagers.
• Lack of education: Girls are less likely to be in school, making them more vulnerable.
• Gender inequality: Deep-rooted norms treat girls as commodities to be traded.
• Conflict and displacement: Ongoing instability compounds the climate crisis.

Data on Child Marriage and Drought

The correlation between drought and child marriage is stark. Below is a comparison of key indicators in Afghanistan and globally.

These numbers highlight how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, particularly girls.

What Can Be Done?

Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach. Humanitarian organizations must provide immediate relief, such as food and cash assistance, to reduce the economic pressure that leads to child marriage. Long-term solutions include investing in climate-resilient agriculture, education for girls, and legal protections against child marriage. Empowering women and girls through education and economic opportunities can break the cycle.

International support is crucial. Donors should fund programs that specifically target at-risk families, offering alternatives to selling daughters. Community engagement is also key to changing social norms that perpetuate the practice.

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