“I have no interest in my husband because he is as old as my father,” said Pari Gul, a nine-year-old girl who has been given in marriage to a 70-year-old man in return for 10 cows and some money.

The marriage took place in Zard Alogak valley, in the Adraskan district, 100kilomters from Herat.

Pari was unable to go to school or madrassa after her father died. Her family was plagued with economic problems and her uncle took over responsibility for the family.

“Saleh Mohammad, a widower who used to live in the valley came and asked my uncle for my hand,” she said. “He offered ten cows and some money, and my uncle gave me to that old man.

Pari makes no pretense of being content with her fate.

“I am very sad,” she said. “I got married two years ago but still I do not like my husband because he looks like my father.” 

Pari Gul is now in hospital in Herat city, suffering from asthma and pneumonia. She was previously admitted and had recovered, but due to malnutrition she relapsed and is now once again in need of medical care.

 “We treat Pari Gul for free,” said Dr. Azmon, the chief doctor in Sari-e-Jangal hospital. “This family has no money for medical expenses.”

According to Dr. Azmon, both Pari Gul and her husband are suffering from malnutrition and the hospital has provided them with necessary food items. In addition, Pari Gul’s husband is deaf and has impaired vision.

 “I have no money and the hospital is treating her for free,” he said. “I have nothing, all I can do pray for them.”

Dr. Azmon added that many women’s rights groups have interviewed Pari Gul, but no one has been able to do anything for her yet.

Mullah Kamaluddin, a lecturer at the Darul Ulumi Arabia Islamic School in Kabul said that marriage against the wishes of either party was prohibited in Islam.

 “Marriage is an Islamic principle and each adult person, can marry as he or she wishes,” he said. “Parents have the right to arrange marriages for their children, but they should consider the principles of Islam. Any girl can accept or reject the marriage when she reaches the age of 18. Forced-marriage is strictly prohibited in Islam.”