ISLAMABAD: A court in northern Afghanistan has rejected a woman’s request for divorce despite her claims of repeated domestic violence, highlighting the extent of physical abuse permitted under the Taliban’s new legal framework.
The woman, identified as Farzana, said her husband frequently beat and insulted her, often mocking her physical condition because one of her legs is slightly shorter than the other. She said she endured the abuse for years for the sake of her children, but eventually sought divorce after a violent incident.
According to Farzana, the attack occurred when she was ill and unable to prepare dinner. When her husband returned home from work and found no meal prepared, he beat her with a mobile phone charger cable, leaving marks on her arms and back for days.
Occasional anger
However, when the case reached a Taliban court, the judge dismissed her complaint and refused to grant the divorce. Farzana said the judge questioned why she wanted to end the marriage and asked whether she had evidence of the abuse.
When she admitted she had no proof, the judge told her that occasional anger and beatings would not cause serious harm. The judge ordered her to return home and warned her not to seek divorce for such reasons.
Human rights groups say such outcomes have become increasingly common since the Taliban introduced a new criminal code allowing husbands to beat their wives.
Activists argue the laws leave women with little protection, forcing many to remain in abusive relationships or face punishment for defying their husbands.
