Afghan Fathers Sell Children Due to Extreme Poverty

This is a heartbreaking situation where fathers are forced to sell their children. Reports show three in four Afghans cannot afford basic needs.
By Newsroom | World News, Afghanistan |

A dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has plunged families into such destitution that fathers are reportedly selling their children, primarily daughters, to afford basic survival, including food and life-saving medical care. The scale of this desperation is underscored by reports that three in four Afghans cannot meet their most fundamental needs.

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International sanctions, frozen central bank assets, and a severe deficit in the functioning of the national economy under the Taliban administration are cited as primary drivers of this collapse. While emergency cash assistance from organizations like Save the Children and World Vision offers temporary relief, aid directors emphasize that such measures cannot replace a stable national market. The severe restrictions on banking and communication networks further isolate these struggling provinces, keeping the full extent of the crisis from broader global attention.

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Saeed Ahmad, a father in Ghor province, has reportedly already sold his five-year-old daughter after she fell gravely ill, needing urgent surgery. The funds were exchanged for medical treatment. Another father, Abdul Rashid Azimi, also from Ghor, has contemplated selling his seven-year-old twin daughters due to his inability to feed his family. Many report children going days without sufficient food. Medical staff note an increase in child deaths linked to hunger and preventable illnesses.

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Beyond immediate survival, reports suggest that the sale of daughters is often structured as a forced marriage, with the groom's family providing a "marital gift." This practice is indirectly linked to what some sources describe as Taliban "regulations of divorce" that reportedly legalize many forms of child marriage.

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The economic fallout is a direct consequence of years of instability. The United States, formerly a major donor, significantly cut aid last year, with other nations also reducing contributions. This reduction in external support has exacerbated the internal economic freefall, pushing families to what are described as "impossible choices." Some families have even removed critically ill infants from hospitals due to the inability to afford ongoing treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are fathers in Afghanistan selling their children?
Fathers are selling their children, mostly daughters, because the country's economy has collapsed. They need money to buy food and pay for medical care for their families.
Q: How bad is the economic situation in Afghanistan?
The economic situation is very bad. Three out of every four people in Afghanistan cannot meet their basic needs. International sanctions and frozen money have made things worse.
Q: What are the main reasons for Afghanistan's economic collapse?
The main reasons include international sanctions, frozen central bank money, and problems with the national economy under the Taliban government. Aid cuts from countries like the United States have also made the situation worse.
Q: What happens to the children who are sold?
Some children are sold for money to pay for medical treatment. Others are sold into forced marriages, where the groom's family gives a 'marital gift'. This is sometimes linked to Taliban rules about marriage.
Q: Is there any help for people in Afghanistan?
Some organizations like Save the Children and World Vision are giving emergency cash. However, aid workers say this is not enough and a stable economy is needed.
Q: What are the consequences for families?
Families are forced to make impossible choices. Some are removing sick children from hospitals because they cannot afford the treatment. This leads to more child deaths from hunger and sickness.