Maryam (pseudonym), a young woman in Herat, says her family married her, without her consent, to a man she has no desire to marry. According to her, after she opposed her family’s decision, she was severely beaten, and her movement outside the home was restricted. She also confirms that she has attempted suicide twice so far. Both times, however, her family took her to hospital and saved her from death.
Maryam says that after she passed the Kankor exam (national entrance examination) and gained admission to the Journalism Faculty of Herat University, her family did not allow her to begin her studies. She recalls her family’s reaction: “A journalist? So what? So that you trample our honor under your feet? You are not allowed to go, girl!” She then enrolled at an institute and began nursing training, but this opportunity was also lost when the institute was closed.
According to Maryam, the pressure from her family for her to marry increased during this period. She was interested in another person, but her family opposed that choice because of his financial situation and demanded that she marry a different man.
Maryam says that on June 6, 2026, two close relatives of the family came to her and asked: “Who is your legal representative for the marriage?” She says she was unaware of the matter at that moment and only gave her father’s name. She later learned that her marriage contract had been concluded that very day. According to her, the man who was to become her husband was not present at the ceremony either.
Maryam says that before this she had repeatedly voiced her opposition to the marriage and had asked her family to let her speak, at least once, with the man chosen for her, but her request was not accepted.
She adds: “I was not willing! No matter how much I cried, it was of no use. Although my heart belonged to someone else, my forced marriage contract was concluded with another man. When I heard the news, the world turned dark in my eyes.” According to Maryam, she continued to voice her opposition after the marriage contract was concluded.
Maryam says that when she told the man to whom she had been married that she had no desire for this marriage, her family found out and beat her. After that, her movement was restricted, her mobile phone was taken from her, and she was not permitted to see her friends. Maryam also claims that she even faced restrictions on going to the hospital to receive physiotherapy for her injured hand.
Maryam says that following the forced marriage contract, she even decided to take her own life. She adds that on July 6, 2026, she attempted suicide, but her family took her to hospital and she survived.
She says that after returning home, the violence and restrictions continued. Maryam also describes another suicide attempt, which she says took place after fifteen days of restrictions and once again led to her being taken to hospital.
Maryam says: “When I opened my eyes, it was the same blinding light again, the same smell of medicine and the noise of people coming and going. I had gone through a terrible nervous shock, but I was still breathing.” She adds that her family is now holding a ceremony which they call an engagement, but she does not agree with this situation and is still under pressure to accept the marriage. She does not know where to turn to escape this situation or who will hear her voice.
The young woman says: “There is no one to hear my voice. I do not know which door of rescue to knock on so that someone will tell me to come in.”
Maryam says her wish is that her opposition be taken seriously and that she be able to decide about her life and future without violence and coercion.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
