‘This Is Abuse, Not Culture’: Internet Reacts To Taliban’s New Marriage Law That Says ‘Silence Of Virgin Girl’ Can Be 'Consent'

Key points

• ‘This Is Abuse, Not Culture’: Internet Reacts To Taliban’s New Marriage Law That Says ‘Silence Of Virgin Girl’ Can Be 'Consent' Published By, Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 17:00 IST The Taliban’s new family law in Afghanistan has sparked outrage after reports said the silence of a “virgin girl” could be treated as consent for marriage.
• Rapid Read News18 The Taliban government in Afghanistan has introduced a new family law regulation that has sparked criticism online, especially over a provision that reportedly treats the silence of a “virgin girl" as consent for marriage.
• The new decree lays out rules related to marriage, divorce, guardianship and separation under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law.
• According to reports by Amu TV, the regulation was approved by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and published in Afghanistan’s official gazette.
• The decree contains 31 articles dealing with family matters and legal disputes between spouses.