UN women has decried a new decree issued by the Taliban-led authorities in Afghanistan, warning that it could further erode the rights and safety of women and girls in the country.

In a statement, the UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan, Susan Ferguson, described Decree No.18, published by the de facto Ministry of Justice on May 14, 2026, as a major setback for women’s rights nearly five years after the Taliban returned to power.

According to the organisation, the decree outlines new conditions for separation from a spouse and raises concerns about child marriage and women’s consent.

UN Women noted that the new policy departs from laws that existed before the Taliban takeover, which established a minimum age for marriage and criminalised forced and child marriage.

The organisation said the decree does not specify a minimum age for marriage but instead provides conditions under which child marriage may be annulled after puberty, a development it warned could normalise the practice.

The agency also criticised provisions that make it more difficult for women to separate from their spouses, noting that women are subjected to stricter legal requirements than men, including the need for multiple witnesses to support separation claims.

It further stated that, in some cases, husbands could override a woman’s request for separation through personal statements or by withholding consent.

UN Women said the decree reinforces concerns that men and women are no longer treated equally before the law in Afghanistan, citing an earlier Decree No. 12 issued in January.

The organisation maintained that Afghan women and girls have the right to live free from violence and discrimination, with access to dignity, safety, freedom of movement and participation in public life.

It urged the de facto authorities to ensure that all laws and policies align with the international human rights treaties and conventions to which Afghanistan is a party.