How Did Marriage Become a Difficult Matter in Afghanistan? zharfa’s Interview with Rowaida Bakhshi

In Afghanistan, marriage is confronted with serious challenges rooted in economic, cultural, and social issues. According to experts and researchers, poverty, unemployment, and costly customs are among the main obstacles preventing young people from starting a family.

These issues, combined with a lack of awareness and pre-marital counseling, have turned marriage into a difficult endeavor. The absence of autonomy in choosing a spouse and the impact of social media networks on the diminishing value of traditional marital values have further fueled these problems. In this interview, we take a deeper look at these challenges and potential solutions to facilitate marriage for the youth.

Rowaida Bakhshi, a media activist and university professor, tells zharfa News Agency: “Marriage in Afghanistan is confronted with multiple barriers stemming from economic, cultural, and social problems. Unemployment and economic poverty, particularly after two decades of conflict, are among the most significant concerns for young people planning to start a family.”

Extravagance and Costly Customs

“Costly customs and lengthy, extravagant wedding ceremonies, especially among affluent classes, have made marriage an expensive undertaking. This culture, alongside the class gap between the poor and the wealthy, imposes additional pressure on the youth.”

According to Ms. Bakhshi, “Forced marriages and a lack of autonomy in choosing a spouse are major cultural and social challenges affecting both young women and men. The absence of awareness and responsibility in the matter of marriage further intensifies these problems.”

Pre-Marital Counseling

This media activist considers pre-marital counseling a critical issue in the process of choosing a spouse and starting a family, adding: “The non-existence of pre-marital counseling is an unfamiliar phenomenon in Afghanistan, which could have helped mitigate the problems. This gap, alongside political instability and insecurity, has made marriage difficult for many.”

Ms. Bakhshi states that “The influence of media and social networks, both domestic and foreign, has also caused the real value of life and traditional marriage to fade among the people,” concluding that “These factors collectively create a serious impediment to youth marriage.”

Social Awareness and Education

In response to the question of what should be done to reform the current situation, she stated: “To facilitate marriage for young people in Afghanistan, the cost of *Mahrieh* (bridal money/dowry) and wedding ceremonies must be reduced to make marriage easier. Education and social awareness play a key role in this regard, as awareness enables youth to make decisions with responsibility and full understanding, leading to a calm and happy life. Education is effective in conflict resolution, improving behavior and communication, and preventing divorce.”

The media activist finally emphasized: “Reforming costly traditions and cultural development are also necessary. Creating job opportunities for the youth, ensuring minimum living requirements, and financial independence strengthen the motivation for marriage. Young people who have jobs and income will consider starting a family with more confidence. These solutions, by promoting awareness and removing economic and cultural obstacles, can lead to the creation of happy families and an aware society.”