Still too young to talk,but not to say "I do"

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:34:30 GMT

It's against the law,but child brides account for nearly half of all marriages in Afghanistan.

Asked about her engagement pary this northern summer, little SUNAM glenced blankly at her family,then fiddled with her gold sequined engagement outfit-

a SPEECHLESS response noy out of shyness,but because she does not yet talk much. SUNAM is THREE YEARS OLD.

The todder was engaged to her SEVEN year old cousin NIEEM in June,in a match made by their parents.

Despite the efforts of the Government and right groups,the engagement and marrige of children still persists in this country,especially among poor,

uneducated families or in the countryside.

About 16 per cent of Afghan children are married under the age of 15, according to recent data from UNICEF. And there is evidence that the poverty of recent years is puching down the marriage age further in some areas.

The amilies of Sunam and Nieem are convinced that if the two grow p together knowing they will be married,they will be happy to wed.

The plan is for them to marry when Sunam is 14 or 15.

Michiko's Home: Too young to be engagement

Still too young to talk,but not to say "I do"